Percy “James” Richard of La Porte, a hard-working man and respected member of the community who loved spending time with his family, passed away on Dec. 3, 2018 in Alvin at the age of 74. He was born in Opelousas, Louisiana on December 15, 1943 to John and Noamie Richard, and cherished his family from the start, working two jobs for much of his adult life to help support his family at home.
James was preceded in death by parents, John and Noamie Richard; brothers, Horace Richard, Merrick Richard and Carl Richard; beloved cousins, Paul Leger and Gloria Barker; wife, Linda Marie Richard, with whom he was married for 27 years. He is survived by his son, Percy James Richard Jr.; daughter, Amy Richard Pace; grandchildren, Natalie Richard, Allyson Ramon, Ryan Richard, Army Pace and Connor Richard.
His passion for life was evident in his work. James worked for both the Pasadena and Houston Independent Schools in maintenance and operations for 37 years, retiring as a foreman from the Pasadena district’s laundry department. While working at the laundry department, he mowed yards for senior citizens in his spare time. That was only part of his legacy. He bragged about being a bartender at the world’s longest bar in the Astrodome, where his love for the Astros began. He even told stories of going to parties at the house of Astros owner and Astrodome visionary, Judge Roy Hofheinz. His love of sports was evident in his support of his favorite football teams from LSU, U of H, the Houston Texans and the New Orleans Saints.
Nothing made him happier, though, than his family. He wouldn’t hesitate to make a trip to get a Happy Meal with his grandkids. And he was a kid at heart himself as evidenced by his Disney watch collection. If James wasn’t bragging about his kids and grandkids, he was asking others about theirs. He was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus Council in La Porte, Texas, where he was a Fourth Degree member. He volunteered as a first-grade CCE teacher and was a Eucharistic minister at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in La Porte. In his last few years, he was a regular at the local Whataburger for breakfast.
Percy “James” Richard will always be remembered, always be missed, but never forgotten.
