He attended Milby High School, graduating in 1947. He joined the Houston Fire Department in August of 1950 and retired in 1981. During those years he was a firefighter, he helped to organize and coordinate the ambulance program with the City of Houston and Fire Department. He also served seven (7) years at the H.F.D Training Academy as an instructor. In addition, he and his wife Mary had three (3) children: Richard III, Joanne, and George David.
Richard held many "side" jobs, but he made time for fun, like trail rides, water skiing, and vacation trips. He was a "newspaper boy" for the Houston Post and Chronicle for many years. After retirement, he volunteered with Red Cross, taught First Aid, CPR, and became a "disaster specialist". He traveled to disasters to help families with recovery.
He also worked with/for his brother Bill in construction. He traveled the globe "on tours" as often as possible, interspersed with snow skiing (in Colorado). He always found his way to church on a regular basis. He spent almost 30 summers going to UM Army camps with high schoolers (and adults) to help folks in need.
He totally believed in higher education and supported the Dennis Holder Scholarship Foundation along with Milby High School and his own family.
He is survived by his wife of twenty years, Judy; his sons, Rick Sadler (Georgia), David Sadler (Kimber) ; his daughter, Jody Sadler-Rusch (John) and Russell Hanna, Peter Hanna and Ellen Hanna. He leaves 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters, Jackie Stewart, Mary Catherine Flores and his brother, Bill Sadler (Patti).
A visitation for Richard will be held Sunday, September 8, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A funeral service will occur Monday, September 9, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A committal service will occur Monday, September 9, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale St, Houston, TX 77023.
Richard will be laid to rest in Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023-2549.
