CHEATHAM, Richard Reed

Richard Reed Cheatham, 74,
passed away on Saturday,
November 18, 2017 after a long
battle with interstitial lung
disease. He was born to David
and Florence Cheatham on July
14, 1943 in Pulaski, Tennessee.
He attended the University of
Virginia, where he graduated
second in his class at the
McIntire School of Commerce
in 1965. He was a life long supporter of the University of
Virginia. Richard graduated from Harvard Law School cum laude
in 1968. After a year teaching at the University of Georgia,
Richard moved to Atlanta. He joined the law firm of Kilpatrick &
Cody, in 1970, beginning a 44-year career in law. He served as
Managing Partner at the firm for several years. In 2013, he
joined the firm of Troutman Sanders as senior counsel before
retiring in 2014.

A rare modern hybrid of Corporate Lawyer and Litigator,
Richard created a thriving financial institutions practice in the
1980s representing at one time more than a third of the 25
largest banks in Georgia. Despite his success, Richard would
say that there was only a small part of his career that he
didn’t owe to those who came before him and that he felt like it
was his obligation to help and support those who come after
him. His character and principles remained no matter how
difficult or unpopular the circumstances. He was a teacher, a
mentor and a friend to many lawyers, bankers and others that
he encountered throughout his long career.

Richard was a voracious reader and audiophile and loved to
retire to his books and record collection. He was a devoted
husband and father, who always kept the needs of his family
first even in the last few days of his life.

Richard was preceded in death by his father David Cheatham,
his mother Florence Cheatham, and his brother Ed Cheatham.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly Paisley Cheatham, his son,
Richard Reed Cheatham Jr. and his brothers, Robert Cheatham
and Denty Cheatham.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on December 1st at
Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. Following the
service the family will receive guests at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the
University of Virginia at http://giving.virginia.edu/ways-to-give/ or to
the Atlanta Legal Aid Society at Atlanta Legal Aid Society, c/o
Angie Tacker, 54 Ellis Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303.
Arrangements under the direction of H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring
Hill.