Richard "Rick" Dee Poynor

Richard “Rick” Dee Poynor passed away at 73 years of age on Monday, May 23, 2016 afterr sustaining injuries from a fall. He was surrounded by close family and loved ones under the thoughtful care of Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston, Texas. He is survived by his loving wife, Lisa; his children (to include step and in-law) Scott Poynor and wife Tammy, Connie Ketchum and husband Oakley, Kim Martin and husband Joe, and Cody Osbourne and fiancé Christine; his grandchildren Chase Poynor, Bailey Poynor, Keegan Poynor, Sawyer Ketchum, and Violet Martin; his brother Mike Poynor and nephew John; his father-in-law Bob Rice and sister-in-law Allyson Santola; and his two dogs, Mac and Katy. He is predeceased by his parents, William “Willie” Dee Poynor and Emalea Haning Poynor.

Rick was born in 1942 in McCamey, Texas to parents Willie and Emalea Poynor and was the older brother to Mike Poynor. He grew up in West Texas where he was first introduced to the oil life working at a young age on the derricks. During high school, he played football and met his sweetheart, Carolyn Miller, who later became his wife and mother to his children. The Poynor family were long-time residents of Pecan Grove Plantation in Richmond, Texas until their divorce in 1994. They both remarried yet remained in each other’s lives until her passing two years ago. Rick married his life’s love, Elizabeth Ann (Lisa) Osborne, and they including her son, Cody, started their lives together in 1996. They made a comfortable home together in Richmond, Texas in a quiet and serene environment overlooking Oyster Creek. Rick’s favorite thing to do was to spend time with Lisa – they truly enjoyed each other’s company.

Rick empowered a strong work ethic at a very early age and carried that with him his entire life. Growing up in an oilfield camp close to Midkiff, Texas, his father was a long-time employee with Exxon. At an early age, it became necessary for Rick to pitch in as an additional wage earner and was given employment as a roustabout by his uncle, D.D. Poynor, who owned a trucking and dirt contracting business in Big Lake, Texas. During summers and holidays through graduation from college, Rick worked as an oilfield truck driver, roustabout, powder monkey, well servicing hand, and roughneck. He had always valued this on-the-job experience as the foundation of his success in safety and insurance.

Rick attended Tarleton State College in Stephenville, graduating in 1968. He taught school for three years, and then entered the insurance industry in 1972 as a safety engineer for the Highlands Insurance company in Midland, Texas.

In 1975, Rick joined United General Insurance Company in Midland, Texas, a specialty market for oil and gas contractors. He achieved steady advancement from Manager to Sr. Executive. In 1981, Rick was transferred to Houston, Texas and was promoted to Sr. Vice President, Policy Holders Service, and was elected to the Board of Directors of the United General Corporation in Houston, Texas. Rick left United General in 1984 and formed Poynor & Associates Insurance Services in Sugar Land, Texas, specializing in energy and transportation risks. In this capacity he functioned as an independent agent and Occupational Safety Consultant.

Over the years Rick served as a Lead Compliance Auditor for the Association of Reciprocal Safety Councils and for ModuSpec USA. He worked as a Safety Health and Environmental Specialist/Manager with a variety of exploration and production companies, including Chevron in Houston, Texas, as the Lead Auditor Contractor Health, Environmental and Safety Management Specialist; with Oxy, South Texas Business Unit, Drilling Department in McAllen, Texas as a Health, Environmental and Safety Consultant; and Argent Energy Trust, USA Holdings, as Health, Safety, and Environmental Manager.

He was a mentor, a friend, a loving family man, and a doting husband who will be missed by many. For those wishing to do so, contributions in celebration of Rick's life may be made to the Fort Bend Regional Council on Substance Abuse, www.fortbendcouncil.org, or a charity of your choice.