Richard D Florey

Richard was born in Kilgore, Texas in 1926 the son of legendary Sheriff Jess Florey and Rena Browning Florey. He left behind his son Richard Austin (Rusty) Florey and his wife Tami Lynn Smith-Florey, step grandson Chad Jeremiah Johnson, two step grandchildren Raven Berry Smith and Hunter Shannondoah Brunson and two step great grandchildren Ember and Kaleb Johnson. He is also survived by his sister Hazel Chandler of Houston and Joe Florey of Rockwall, Texas.

Also known as R. D. Florey, Bud led an exemplary life as a husband and father. However, in his early years he was eager to serve in the military like many of his day. Too young for the army, Bud joined the Merchant Marines where he began the adventure of a lifetime. After circumnavigating the globe seven times, Bud came home to join the Coast Guard and later served as an MP in the Army. In the late 1950s, he joined the Texas Department of Public Safety as a radio dispatcher; a career that lasted 30 years. Much of that as Supervisor of Communications and director of the DPS headquarters in Mineral Wells, Texas.

After his retirement in 1982, R. D. and his wife of 52 years, Kathy, relocated to East Texas and built a beautiful home near Chandler to indulge their hobbies and live out the rest of their days. In October 2011, Kathy succumbed to heart disease and cancer and as the story goes; Buds wish to follow his wife into glory was fulfilled on Thursday, May 17.

For much of his life, Bud Florey was a part of the blessed duo known as “Bud and Kathy”. Now they are together once again and forever.

Memorial services will follow after a private graveside ceremony at the First Baptist Church in Chandler, Texas at 1:00 pm on June 1, 2012.

Arrangements under the direction of Tyler Memorial Funeral Home - Cemetery and Mausoleum, Tyler, TX.