Michael Fred Richards

Michael Fred Richards, age 44, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Sunday, June 15, 2025. He was born to Fred Richards and Clarinda Mann Richards on June 14, 1981. He lived with his parents for 41 years before moving into a group home in Dallas 3 years ago, to be near his sister Laura’s family. He and she were devoted siblings throughout his life.

He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 2001. During the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Michael was nominated and selected to be an official Olympic Torchbearer as the flame traveled through San Antonio. He attended local day-habilitation programs and was awarded Achiever of the Year in 2016 by the ARC of San Antonio.

Michael professed faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age and enjoyed participating in various ministries of his church, Wayside Chapel. He helped to prepare the sanctuary for Sunday, served snacks at VBS and meals to the youth group. He was assisted in passing the offering plate during services and helped with bulk mailings for the Discipleship Tape Ministry.

Michael will be remembered for his loving hugs and winsome smiles. His friendly disposition put him on a mission to meet and greet as many people as possible! He comforted many with his kind, compassionate nature, and charmed his teachers with his polite manners. Michael liked to please people and wasted no time in seeking or granting forgiveness for wrongs done. He had a strong work ethic and was quick to offer his assistance when needed. His favorite task was to check the mailbox daily and bring in the mail. He loved to laugh, tease and play his one joke on everyone repeatedly. He has contributed endearing words and cute expressions to his families’ vocabularies.

Music was a major part of Michael’s life. He was a fan of KONO 101 pop songs of the 50’s, 60’s. Elvis was a favorite, and he could do an impressive impersonation, wearing the iconic white jumpsuit and shaking his leg. When the music started, he would be the first person out on a dance floor and the last one to leave. He also loved directing the church choir from his pew in the congregation, all the while praising God with a joyful noise.

Other interests included jogging, playing baseball with Lone Star Play Ball, attending

Camp C.A.M.P., watching favorite DVD’s and doing social activities with his buddies from school. He liked to travel to see relatives and flew to Hawaii often to visit Laura, Adam, and their growing family. Michael loved his home and his wonderful neighbors who were like family to him. He had many fun memories of celebrating holidays and life events with them and visiting over coffee.

He is survived by his parents, Fred and Clarinda Richards; his sister and brother-in-law, Laura Richards Hines and Adam Hines; nieces, Ellie (14), Caelan (12), and Lucy Hines (10), and a nephew, Christopher Hines (8), all of Dallas; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, first and second cousins. He is preceded by his grandparents, Fred V. and Rebekah Webb Richards of Tulia, and Hudson and Claire Mann of Houston; and two infant nieces, Emily Richards and Grace Mann.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Wayside Chapel on Monday, July 7th, at 1:00 pm.

Memorial gifts may be made to:

Hope Stories or Wayside Chapel’s Masterpiece Ministries