Patrick L. Richardson

Patrick Lowell (Pat) Richardson passed from this life on Thursday, March 29, 2012, cradled in the arms of loving family, after a short battle with mesothelioma. Pat was born in Sherman, Texas on December 30, 1940 to Hubert L. and Lois E. Richardson.

Pat attended both grade school and junior high school in Groves, Texas where his father was a teacher in the Port Neches school district. He attended high school in Southmayd, Texas where his father was the superintendent. Pat married his high school sweetheart Betty Kay Price in January 1959 before graduation that May. He subsequently attended Texas A&M University (then the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas) where their daughter Patsy Carol and son Michael Eugene were born. After graduation in the summer of 1964, he immediately entered the United States Air Force, retiring 21 years later in December 1985. Son James Darrell was born at his first duty station at Shaw AFB in Sumter, SC. He then entered into his second career with the Texas Department of Transportation, retiring 17 years later in December 2002. During his years with TxDOT, Pat and Betty divorced and he subsequently married the love of his life Charmaine B. Templeton in June 1995. After his retirement from TxDOT in 2002, Pat enjoyed sleeping late and puttering around the house and their 64 acre Buzzard Roost Ranch while waiting for Charmaine to finally retire from TxDOT as well in 2011.

He was preceded in death by both his parents and is survived by his wife Charmaine Richardson; former wife Betty Richardson; his brother A. M. (Mike) Richardson; daughter Patsy Carol Funderburgh, her husband David; son Michael E. (Mike) Richardson, his wife Rita; and son James D. (Jim) Richardson, his partner Heather Emmick. He is also survived by his grandchildren Sean Funderburgh and his wife Amber; Bryan Funderburgh and his fiancé Ella Shipley; Emmy Anderson and her husband Clinton Anderson; Maggie Richardson; Andy Richardson; John Richardson; Aedan Richardson; Tabby Tumino; Chris Emmick; and Andrew Emmick. Pat’s first great grandchild Ellie Kate Funderburgh is expected to join us in early May. Pat is also survived by many friends whom he cared greatly for, especially his 30+ years poker buddies.

Until we meet again my love, on the far side of the Bridge, where broken hearts can heal.

A Celebration of Pat’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, April 2, 2012 in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 W. William Cannon Drive. Please bring a story or memento to share with the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society.