Floyd Richard Brier Jr.

Floyd Richard "Rick" Brier Jr., 79, of Austin, Texas, passed away on September 4, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Born April 4, 1947, in Alva, Oklahoma, to Floyd Richard Brier Sr. and Jeraldine Delight Strawn Brier, Rick was the oldest of three children. He grew up in Alva, where the qualities that would define him, such as responsibility, dependability, loyalty, and a strong work ethic, were evident from an early age. One of the most influential people in Rick's early life was his grandfather, Milton Strawn, whom he loved, admired, and spent a great deal of time with. Their close relationship helped shape the values, character, and sense of responsibility Rick carried throughout his life. These qualities became part of who Rick was and how he cared for the people he loved. Above all else, Rick was a family man, and he considered his family his greatest accomplishment.

Rick attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma, from 1965 to 1969 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry with a minor in mathematics. While in college, he married the love of his life, Leaha Boatman, on November 26, 1966. The following year, they welcomed their daughter and began building the family life that Rick would always cherish. Together, Rick and Leaha shared a remarkable 57-year marriage and partnership. Her passing on December 27, 2023, brought their earthly life together to a close, but never the love or the memories they shared.

After graduation, Rick moved his young family to Austin, Texas, in the spring of 1969 after one of his chemistry professors encouraged him to pursue a master's degree at the University of Texas. Rick began graduate school and received a teaching assistantship, but supporting a growing family while completing the demanding program proved difficult. Family always came first for Rick, so he left graduate school and began building a career that would allow him to provide for them. That decision opened the door to a career Rick could never have predicted.

With his background in biochemistry and mathematics, Rick explored several possibilities before applying to Monroe The Calculator Company, a well-known name at the time for calculators and business machines. During his interview, Rick was shown one of the new desktop electronic calculators and was immediately fascinated by the technology. When Monroe offered him a sales position, he accepted enthusiastically. Rick loved numbers, enjoyed working with people, and discovered that he had a gift for sales. He often credited Monroe with teaching him the art of being a good salesman.

As his family grew, so did his career. In 1971, the year his son was born, Rick was promoted to assistant branch manager in Wichita, Kansas. Another promotion took the family to Wichita Falls, Texas, where he became branch manager. Then, in 1977, all roads led back to Austin, Texas, when Rick was offered the opportunity to manage Monroe's larger Austin branch. It was a major career opportunity that brought the family back to Austin, where they found their forever home.

As branch manager in Austin, Rick oversaw bids and sales to businesses and government offices throughout Texas. His success earned him three President's Awards during his years with Monroe; one while working in Wichita Falls and two in Austin. Although additional promotions would have taken him to St. Louis or Houston, Rick chose not to pursue them. Austin was home. His family had put down roots there, and to Rick, those roots mattered more than another title.

By the early 1980s, electronic calculators had become increasingly common and less expensive, changing the industry in which Rick had built his career. Recognizing that it was time for a new chapter, he joined Oliver Roofing Systems in 1983 as Maintenance Supervisor. During his first year, Rick worked closely with owner Edis Oliver, learning the roofing business from a man he greatly respected and often described as a "smart and good man." In this new career, Rick once again found what he loved: combining numbers, estimating, and sales with the satisfaction of a job well done and happy customers.

After a year of learning the business, Rick became vice president of the roofing company. In 1984, Edis Oliver sold the company to him, and Rick became president of Oliver Roofing Systems. For more than four decades, Rick devoted himself to the company, carrying forward the reputation Edis had established while building his own legacy. Under Rick's leadership, Oliver Roofing Systems became known for quality workmanship, reliability, and long-standing customer relationships.

Early in his time with Oliver Roofing, the company roofed Barton Creek Square Mall and installed metal roofing, siding, and gutter work for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Rick especially remembered attending a dinner celebrating the center's opening, where Lady Bird Johnson spoke to those who helped build the center. Over the years, Rick and his company reroofed countless homes and buildings throughout Central Texas. Roofing projects included schools, hotels, University of Texas buildings, and government facilities; many years later, the company returned to reroof the Wildflower Center and many other Austin-area landmarks. One business relationship Rick particularly valued was with Allandale Shopping Center, which remained a loyal client from his earliest days at Oliver Roofing through decades of new roofs, reroofing, and repairs.

Rick loved what he called the "blueprint," which is the numbers, planning, and bidding that went into a roofing project, but what mattered most to him was knowing that his clients were pleased with the work his company had done. He also valued the people he encountered throughout his career and often said it had been a pleasure and an honor to work with so many good people. Rick remained president of Oliver Roofing Systems until August 1, 2026, concluding an extraordinary career of more than four decades with the company.

Rick took his responsibility as a husband and father seriously and worked hard to make sure his family had a good life. Providing for them, however, meant far more than earning a living; it meant giving them his time, his presence, and countless memories to carry forward for generations. On Saturday afternoons, he often swam with his family, played kickball in the backyard with his children, or played tennis and basketball with them, while Sunday afternoons might include a trip to Dairy Queen for ice cream. Rick had an easygoing nature, but beneath it was strength. To his family, he was a rock, a person they could depend upon, learn from, and look up to. He taught by example far more than he ever could have taught with words.

To his grandchildren, Rick was simply "PaPa," a name that reflected the special place he held in their lives. He treasured time with them, whether going for walks, sharing family movie nights, having family dinners, collecting coins with his son and grandson, playing with his great-grandchildren, or taking family vacations. Whether in everyday moments or on special occasions, time spent together was what mattered most to Rick.

Looking back on his life one day, Rick simply said, "It's been a good life."

And it was.

It was a life built around family, hard work, loyalty, and the simple joy of being there for the people he loved. Those who knew Rick will remember not only what he accomplished, but the kind of man he was. His was truly a life well lived and one worthy of celebration, and perhaps there is comfort in knowing that after more than half a century spent side by side, Rick and Leaha are together once again.

Rick was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Leaha Elizabeth Boatman Brier; parents, Floyd Richard Brier Sr. and Jeraldine Delight Strawn Brier; grandparents, Milton W. and Lillis Elnora Light Strawn; and sister, Jerilyn Brier Lakely.

Rick is survived by his children, Stacey, Richard, and his wife, Sarah; grandchildren, Arielle and her husband Sam, Iva, Sydney and her husband Jashon, Ezra and his partner Lesly, Skylar, and Richard Owen; great-grandchildren, Silas, Noelle Grey, and Leaha Remi; and sister, Tina Brier Parker.

With tremendous love and gratitude, Rick will never be forgotten. He will always be missed and forever be loved.