Richard Dick (Dick) Alley

Richard Alfonso “Dick” Alley passed away at his ranch home in Buckholts, Texas, on June 16, 2016. Born February 23, 1929, to Alfonso Lee “Pete” Alley and Mary “Jimmie” Miller Alley, Dick won the award for the Prettiest Baby in Williamson County that year. He graduated with honors as valedictorian of the Leander High School graduating class of 1946. He took a year of general studies at the University of Texas in Austin. Before there was Bisquick, his mother sent him to school with cans of homemade biscuit mix, which he cooked in a walk-up kitchenette on W. 26th Street, now Dean Keaton Blvd. At 5’4” and 105 pounds, Dick claimed he had to show his university ID to avoid being mistaken for a student at the junior high, reportedly then across the street from Gregory Gym. He snuck down for one semester to study art with his “kissing” cousins at Texas A&I in Kingsville (1948).

He interrupted his studies to join the US Marine Corps and served six years (1948 – 54). He completed his basic training at Camp Pendleton, then was based in San Diego (1950), San Francisco (1951 – 02/52), Quantico, VA (03/52 – 09/52), Lawton, OK (12/52 - 02/53) and San Francisco, CA (09/53 – 03/54).

Alley served in Korea 1950-52 in the 1st Division, ‘A’ Company. Deployed immediately following the Battle at the Chosin Reservoir, Dad’s company pushed to the 38th Parallel to secure the Puson (now Buson) Perimeter. A trained artillery expert sniper, Dick reflected a few years ago, “I had the feeling of invincibility--people would dive for deep cover, but I’d be in real shallow (gesturing with his hands). I’d find myself in the middle of dead and wounded and closer to the mortar fire. I had real good reaction time.” After a fierce battle to secure hill #509, Dick emerged as one of only eight in his 39-member platoon who did not get killed or wounded. His band of brothers informally referred to themselves as the Red Heart Club. On a trip to Washington, D.C. a few years back, Dad recognized himself and the radio operator among the sculptures at the Korean War Memorial. Alley was awarded the Korean Service medal, the United Nations Service medal, and the Navy and Marines Corps Commendation medal. He also recently received a certificate of recognition from former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel for serving during the Cold War.

Dad used the GI bill to attain his Bachelors in Science (1955) and Masters in School Administration (1957) at North Texas State Teachers College in Denton. His first job was teaching biology in Pilot Point, Texas, where he was promoted to Principal after only three weeks. A deacon from the Pilot Point First Baptist Church invited the new principal over for Sunday dinner, where Dick fell in love at first sight with the deacon’s daughter, Joy Tomberlin. After only three dates, they became engaged. They were married three months later on November 23, 1955. Dick and Joy lived in a teacherage in Pilot Point, Dad finished his masters and his final tour with the Marine Reserves. They had their first daughter, Denise. The three Alleys then moved to West Texas, where Dick served as Megargel School’s superintendent/science teacher/bus driver from 1958-1963. The family thrived, Dick and Joy made lifelong friends. Adding two more children every three years (or so), Ben arrived in 1960, and Donna in 1962. Mr. Alley inspired loyal and devoted students at the Class A school, including James Draper, a star basketball player who joined the family as a foster son.

The family returned to the Leander area in 1964 and established the Diamond D Ranch, signifying Dick, Denise, Ben David and Donna, with Joy being the Diamond. Many Liberty Hill and Leander residents will recall the pungent smell of the SPF hog farm at the S curve on Bagdad Road. Alley ranched Angus, Hereford, Charolaise, Brahman and Brangus cattle; Boer goats, parakeets, retired quarter horses, donkeys, mules and stray emus. He farmed row crops of cotton, mays, millet, wheat, corn, and blackeyed peas. He leased additional properties from the Woolsey, Chapman, Lackey, Wade and Naumann farms, managing more than 2,000 acres at his peak.

He loved hunting quail and dove with his legendary bird dogs, Black Knight and Red Baron. He taught all of his grandchildren how to drive. Dick Alley loved to dance (although only Joy could follow his quirky backbeat). Dick was well traveled, collecting passport stamps from Canada, British Columbia, Greece, Italy, Peru, the Bahamas, South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, and Swaziland. Dick collected arrowheads and art of indigenous peoples. A yellow-dog Democrat, Dick ran with LBJ’s Johnson City buddies, supported Bob Armstrong (of Matt’s El Rancho dip fame) and Ann Richards, and boasted of his latest crush on Michelle Obama. He was an avid reader of western fiction, owning every single Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey title. He loved watching westerns on TV, especially his favorite series Gunsmoke, Bat Masterson, Bonanza, Maverick; movies McClintock, Shenandoah; and the Lonesome Dove miniseries. Dick played golf at Point Venture for many years. He enjoyed a weekly poker game in Bertram, Texas. His loyal border collie, Ferguson, would patiently await at the mailbox for Dick’s return each week, once waiting 16+ hours.

Active in the community, Alley served as secretary/treasurer of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative 1972-80; the Leander ISD school board 1981-84; and Central Texas Production Credit Association 1987-90. Dick also accompanied Joy to events at Bank of the Hills and Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce.

In 2000, Dick moved to Buckholts, Texas, 6.5 miles from pavement, where he managed an orchard of 2,200 pecan trees and a hundred or so head of cattle. Dick worked a Jumble word puzzle from the newspaper most weekdays for the past 20 years. His loyal border collie, Ferguson, stayed beneath his bedside window until the end. Consistent with his Thing about the number three, his passing on June 16th happened exactly three months, three weeks plus three days after his 87th birthday.

Dick Alley was preceded in death by his beloved wife Joy, sisters Melba Alley, LaFern Faith and brother Trent Alley. He is survived by his children James Draper (Linda), Denise Graham (Tom), Ben Alley (Amanda), and Donna Veile (Alan). Grandchildren include Judd Draper; Jeff Graham(Jennifer), Scott and Stephen Graham; Dale “DJ” Alley; Austin and Allyson Veile; and godchild Galen Gates (Laurie). Nieces and nephews include Richard T. Alley (Ligaya), Carla French (Billy), Christy Lerche, Debby Richardson (Bobby), Randa Bruce (Bill), Merri Ziemak (Carl), and Trent Faith (Christina).

Dick wasn’t much for funerals (for he said he had been to too many), so the family will have a Celebration Service at Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, with visitation 4 – 6 pm, Monday, June 20, followed by Dick Alley “Story Hour.” After cremation, Dad’s remains will be laid to rest in a PRIVATE FAMILY CEREMONY next to Joy at Bagdad Cemetery in Leander. In lieu of flowers, the family plans to establish the Dick Alley “Diamond in the Rough” Scholarship fund for deserving college students interested in science, art or agriculture (details to follow).

Arrangements under the direction of Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.