Major Richard T. “Dick” Best

He was born November 20, 1944, in Fulton, NY, a son of Richard Thacker “Lorenzo” Best and Annabelle Stoughtenger Best.

He was a 1962 graduate of Hannibal Central School, Hannibal, NY and was ordained and commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer as a member of The Witnesses To The Faith Session in 1967.

Major Best had various appointments during his ministry including Portsmouth and Cincinnati, OH; Haverhill and Milford MA; Spring Valley, NY, during which time he was an adjunct teacher of Personal Evangelism, Homiletics (sermon preparation) and Sermon Delivery at the Salvation Army School for Officer’s Training; New York City Times Square; Batavia, Ithaca, and Oswego, NY; Syracuse, NY at Divisional Headquarters and Jamestown before he retired in 2010. Throuhgtout his career he served at many natural disasters including the Silver Bridge Collapse, Hurricane Agnes and at Ground Zero of the attacks on the Twin Towers. Following retirement, he continued to serve in post-retirement appointments for The Salvation Army and preach at various churches in and around Jamestown. While living in Syracuse he drove bus for Central New York Regional Transit and worked at the former Morrill Press in Fulton, NY, and in Jamestown drove bus for Chautauqua Area Regional Transit System

Dick loved being with family and friends. Sharing stories, traveling, playing games, studying and sharing the Bible, preaching, and gardening were the things he enjoyed. He always appreciated a good laugh and joke and loved being around people who felt that way too.

He was an avid fan of Syracuse University basketball, football and lacrosse. As a 30-year member of IAABO, he officiated high school basketball throughout New York State.

Surviving is the love of his earthly life Major Jody Hulbert Best; children Eric (Dana) Best of Jackson, OH, Andrew (Robin) Best of Parma, OH, Jessica Brock of Jamestown, NY, Jolene (Thad) Bahler of Columbus, OH, Jacob (Heather) Brock of Jamestown, NY, and Matthew (Nora) Best of Syracuse; thirteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter Jodi Lynn Best and great granddaughter Athena Grace Crandall.

A memorial service will be held in the Spring of 2025 in The Salvation Army of Jamestown.

Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army.

You may leave words of condolence at lindfuneralhome.com.