David Richard Dobbins Jr

David Richard "Rick" Dobbins Jr., 71, of Princeton, WV, passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. 

Born on June 29, 1954 in Princeton, he was the son of Betty Meadows Tilley (Robert) and the late David R. Dobbins. He spent his childhood in Connecticut, graduating from East Hampton High School in 1972.  Rick returned to West Virginia with his family in 1976, where he resided until his death. He was a devoted member of Thompson Chapel Church and graduated from Bluefield State College with a degree in Criminal Justice. Rick retired from the West Virginia Army National Guard with over 25 years of service, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class. After serving his country, he taught JROTC at Bluefield High School for another 10 years, where he positively impacted countless students. He also served as a coach for numerous youth sports organizations including at the middle and high school levels .

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Comer Dobbins of the home; sons, D. Richard (Monica) Dobbins, III of Winfield, WV and Jonathan (Molly) Dobbins of Weirton, WV; 4 grandchildren, Hudson, Colton, Easton, and Brynn; 2 sisters, Teresa Dobbins of Oakvale, and Roxanne Dobbins of Princeton. He is also survived by his chosen brother, Col William "Bill" Aldridge of Bluefield and his beloved pit bull Viking. Lastly, he is survived by many loving in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.  

Rick was an avid deer hunter. Fall and winter would find him filling his tags in West Virginia and Virginia, hunting every open deer season available to him. He also spent his adolescent and adult life restoring and rebuilding many classic cars and trucks. His family was his whole world, though. He loved his wife Pat and their two sons with his whole heart. Later in his life, he was blessed to be able to share that love with his four grandchildren. He and Pat traveled thousands of interstate miles visiting and supporting their grandchildren in their various extracurricular activities. Rick was a proud supporter of Winfield General athletics and fine arts. 

Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell with Rev. Ron Thomure officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton where military honors will be performed by the Mercer County Honor Guard. Pallbearers are from HIS 1st and 150th medical platoon. They include SFC James Blevins, SSG John Rode, SSG Eddie Woolwine, SGT David Cowan, SGT Jimmy Slaughter, and SGT Sean McKenzie. The family would like to extend special thanks to SFC Rick Cary and SFC Jason Scarbro for coordinating the pallbearers and for their continued support of the family during this time. 

Friends may call prior to services, from 12:00-1:00 PM on Thursday, at the funeral home.