Richard Hartley Hazard

Rick was born on January 4, 1950, in Washington, D.C., to Margaret and Irwin Hazard. He grew up in Wheaton, Maryland, alongside his younger brother, Michael. Rick excelled in sports (and loved telling his children stories about his high school football days), was a strong student, and later graduated from Towson University in Maryland.

During college, Rick met the love of his life, JoAnn Woodward, on a double date set up by his brother. They married in 1975, beginning a half a century relationship built on fun, traditions, and everlasting love. Wherever Rick and JoAnn were, they were dancing the night away.

Rick started his career with Xerox, where he quickly became a top salesman. He earned numerous awards, the nickname “Golden Boy,” and he and JoAnn enjoyed many special trips through Xerox along the way.

In 1979, Rick was recruited to work in Texas, and he and JoAnn moved to Houston, where he began a new career in commercial real estate with Century Development. After earning his brokerage license, he became an independent broker and eventually founded Hartley Realty Group, which he led for decades. With sharp instincts, an optimistic personality, and a genuine commitment to people, Rick built lasting relationships by always putting his clients’ needs first. He also developed one of the first modern townhouse complexes, Tuscan Woods, in Houston’s Museum District, well before it became trendy.

As Rick built his career, he and JoAnn built their family. They welcomed Nicole in 1978, Kristen in 1982, and Ryan in 1986. While raising their kids, Rick and JoAnn made their relationship a priority, making time for date nights, occasional nights away in the city, or quiet evenings relaxing in their backyard.

Last year, Rick and JoAnn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on February 22, 2025, and Rick’s 75th birthday, with a big party at Pine Forest, dancing the night away with their closest friends and family, exactly the way he would have wanted it.

Rick was an active, all-in dad. He coached Ryan’s baseball teams, Kristen’s basketball team, and Nicole’s softball teams, and he never missed the Friday nights when Nicole and Kristen were on their high school dance teams. In recent years, his greatest joy was his grandsons, Dylan, Drake, Cameron, and Carter. He loved celebrating their hard work, often surprising them with a little money for good grades, cheering them on at games, and taking them to “the club,” where he introduced them to golf and the “high life” at the country club, swimming, eating, and making memories they’ll carry forever.

Rick’s favorite things were simple and classic, a dirty martini, the Houston Astros, American history, anything baseball, classic rock music, working in the yard, and his Mercedes-Benz. Recently, he began easing into fewer work hours and more time with what he loved most, golf, time at Pine Forest Country Club, and being with his family and friends.

Rick’s last weekend was filled with his favorite things, golfing, watching his grandson’s football game, watching sports on TV, enjoying good food, being with his best friends, and sharing it all with JoAnn. He often said he was a lucky man. We already miss him more than words can say.

Rick is survived by his wife, JoAnn; his children Nicole (and son-in-law Murray Pawloski), Kristen Hazard, and Ryan Hazard; his grandsons Dylan, Drake, Cameron, and Carter Pawloski; and his cousins Adam and Alex Soghigan and Dick Nye.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity meaningful to you. Rick was always partial to veteran-focused charities, honoring his late brother who served in Vietnam.

Funeral arrangements and service details will be shared soon.