Richard John Linton

The Holy Spirit came down on Pentecost Sunday (June 8, 2025) and lifted our loving husband, father, and grandfather, Richard John Linton, 91, to eternal life in Heaven. Born on August 2, 1933, Richard, also known as Dick, a resident of Katy, was the first child born of parents Richard John Linton, Sr. and Patricia (Patsy) Ruth Casburn in Fort Worth. Richard is preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Jim Linton, and in 2010, by his “old reliable” eldest daughter, Holly Linton.

Richard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marcia Ann Klodginsky (Gma), of West, Texas; son Crespin Linton and wife Lynell (Tamayo) Linton of Pearland; daughter Karen Temborius and husband Joseph Temborius of Austin; daughter Jennifer Reinbolt and husband John Reinbolt of Katy; along with several nieces and nephews. His beloved grandchildren Ryan, Caitlin, Riley, Crespin II, Jessica, Rachel, and Samuel referred lovingly to Richard as “Gpa”.

At the tender age of nine, Richard’s faith was tested when his young father Richard Sr, died abruptly leaving his young widow Patsy, with two small boys to raise, during the hardships of the Great Depression. He was forever indebted to the kindness, love and influence of his Aunt Louis, Uncle Roy and his cousin Leroy Sims, and all the Casburn cousins, for giving Richard the guidance he needed to go on to serve honorably for the Army during the Korean War and to later graduate from the University of Texas School of Law in 1961. Richard would later joke with his grandchildren about the high cost of his entire law school tuition of $100!

During his years as a distinguished attorney for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Richard successfully represented unions and employees ensuring safe labor practices. Richard was recognized for his tenacity in representing many underserved workers in the Texas Rio Grande Valley area in the 1970’s. It was in 1980, that Richard was appointed as an Administrative Law Judge for the NLRB during the Carter presidential administration. After his retirement in 2001, Richard received special acknowledgment for his publication entitled, “A History of The NLRB Judges Division, With Special Emphasis of the Early Years”, which was published by the NLRB in 2004. Many of Richard's writings and decisions are recognized and used in law school academia today. His son Crespin and grandchildren Crespin II, Rachel and niece Hannah, have all proudly followed in his footsteps in the field of law.

Richard will be remembered by his family as their Gpa who relished in time spent enjoying Marcia’s home cooking and then meticulously - without delay - washing the dishes, praying for the military troops, attending Sunday mass at St. Faustina Catholic Church in Fulshear, and most especially, his Monday activity of cutting the lawn until age 87. Richard will be missed but we are at peace knowing that he is enjoying eternal life with his daughter Holly in Heaven worshiping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Hook 'em Horns, Gpa!

A visitation for Richard will be held Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Katy Funeral Home, 23350 Kingsland Blvd, KATY, TX 77494. A funeral service will occur Friday, June 13, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Faustina Catholic Church, 28102 FM 1093, Fulshear, TX 77441. A graveside service will occur Friday, June 13, 2025 from 12:30 PM to 1:15 PM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079.