In Loving Memory of
Richard "Rick" Earle Quarles
September 6, 1950 – November 2, 2025
The world lost a bright light and a beautiful soul on November 2, 2025, when Richard "Rick" Earle Quarles passed away peacefully. Born on September 6, 1950, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to Dorothy Faye Townsend and Jack Russell Quarles, Rick lived a life full of music, learning, laughter, and love.
A proud graduate of the University of Alabama — Roll Tide! — Rick earned his degree in 1972 and began a lifelong journey of inspiring others as a teacher. Known affectionately as "The Singing Science Teacher," Rick taught sixth grade science and social studies, blending education and creativity in a way that captivated students and audiences alike. He was 6th grade teacher at Chapel Hill Middle School in Douglasville, Georgia.
His love for music ran deep. As a member of the band FM109, Rick wrote and performed his own songs, blending classic rock and country with heart and storytelling. His gift for making learning fun led him to share his music and knowledge with the world through his YouTube channel, "Science on the Wild Side." There, his songs about animals and science reached classrooms and homes across the globe — a lasting legacy of curiosity, joy, and creativity. https://youtu.be/eLLYgPec3ns?si=9ly6FoK5oQr5kYAd , https://youtu.be/q8BT1y9GvAE?si=xLSfeIwxszmYP0Lp , https://youtu.be/9FgfFjzdLYE?si=q7Xl9M4NbTphQA9l .
Every morning, Rick greeted the world with a sunrise. His daily Facebook posts of the morning sky became a reflection of who he was — hopeful, full of wonder, and always looking for the beauty in each new day. Above all else, he loved making people happy.
Rick is survived by his loving wife, Mickey Quarles of Waleska, Georgia; his son, Joshua Quarles of Douglasville, Georgia; his daughter, Jennifer Quarles of Acworth, Georgia; his brother, Randy (Fran) Quarles of Mountain Brook, Alabama; and his two beloved grandchildren, Kyndell Howland and Mason Quarles.
Rick will be interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at a later date.
Those who knew Rick will remember his music, his laughter, and his boundless enthusiasm for life. His songs, his sunrises, and the countless hearts he touched will continue to shine — reminding us, as he always did, that learning and love are meant to be shared.