ATLANTA, Ga. — Richard Wayne "Pete" Sessoms, 66, of Atlanta, Ga., passed away peacefully on Oct. 15, 2016, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Wiley Sessoms; children, Robert Sessoms (Janie) of Wilmington, N.C, Stephen Sessoms of Carolina Beach, and Jennifer Sessoms Atcheson (Jeremy) of Denver, Colo.; three grandchildren, Chase Sessoms of Blacksburg, Va., and Casey and Caleb Sessoms, both of Wilmington, N.C.; brother, Mike Sessoms (Judy) of Jacksonville; and sister, Cathy Sessoms Lurty of San Diego, Calif.

Pete was born on March 10, 1950, to the late Robert "Bob" Sessoms and Martha Ingram Sessoms in Charlotte, N.C. Pete graduated from Bladenboro High School, where he was a star baseball player. A U.S. Army veteran, Pete served for five years, stationed in Fort Benning, Ga. and Bamberg, Germany.

Pete moved to Wilmington, N.C. to pursue a career in road and site construction, most recently as vice president of W.R. Willis Construction.

Pete's best attribute was his wonderful personality; he never met a stranger and was the life of every party. Pete loved fishing, golf, and cooking. He was a sweet, generous, and loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

A funeral service will be 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at Andrews Market Street Chapel, 1617 Market Street, Wilmington, N.C. 28401. The family will receive guests during the hour prior to the service. Burial service will immediately follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens.

Join us for a celebration of Pete's life at Dockside in Wrightsville Beach at 5 p.m. to share memories and toast to the coolest guy we know.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Take a Kid Fishing Foundation (www.takf.org).

Condolences may be made to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com. Andrews Market Street Chapel