Richard Alfred Colapret

My dad, Richard was born in Texarkana in 1929. Imagine what the country and this modest town was about to experience as the Great Depression gripped the nation and paralyzed small town America. It was a childhood of anxiety and insecurity for everyone. His parents owned a small grocery store (Midway Grocery) and he told stories of unemployed men appearing at the rear of the store and although they were looking for work, they were always given a modest meal from my grandparents store kitchen. The strength of their community was St. Edwards Church and he served as an altar boy throughout his youth. It was there, that he met his future wife, Catherine. Although they were children, he somehow had the premonition that they would marry someday. Apparently, these childhood ambitions were met with some skepticism from the respective parents, but about twenty years later, Richard & Catherine were married.

Much had transpired in their world. The Depression quickly evolved into World War II and a new level of anxiety and fear dominated their teenage years. By the time daddy was into his twenties, the Korean war had started and he calculated that it would be better to be in the Navy than to be drafted into the Army. After a few years on a Navy destroyer, he got his fill of adventure and swore he’d never get on another ship again.

As he closed out his military service, he and Catherine married and they began their life together in Tyler. By this time, Catherine had completed her training as a medical technician and daddy enrolled in a junior college to study TV & radio. He was soon advised that any future in the electronics field would require more education-probably college. I was born about this time (1954) and they decided to seek a new life and daddy’s education at Texas Tech…….in Lubbock. In the 1950’s that might not have been the end of the world, but you could see it from there. Two more children were born in Lubbock: Frank and Ann. We were a full family-mom working as much as possible in the local blood bank and daddy going to college. It was a difficult time for the young family but all the experiences that Mom & Dad had already accumulated steadied their resolve and determination.

But, Lubbock was too much, so they moved to Garland in 1960 and two more children were added: Patrick and Carol. This brought the headcount to seven. Daddy was working as an hourly electronics technician and mom as a med tech. They decided that it was quite important that daddy finish his college education, but he had to work full time and take classes at night school. It would take a full 10 yrs to complete his studies for his degree in physics & math and I remember so vividly, long nights of his study at the kitchen table and rising before dawn to report to work a full shift. Years later, he told me that he would have never done that for just himself, but he needed to finish in order to get better jobs and a better life for “momma and you kids.” It was admirable and an inspiration. Years later, as a college professor, I often told that story to my students-especially, older students returning to college. It really put things into perspective for them.

Daddy had a good career in the electronics field. Initially as a design engineer but later in sales. It was clear that he very much enjoyed working with people and they enjoyed him. The five of us grew up and moved into adulthood with their guidance and help. Soon, there were four grandchildren: Austin and Travis (children of Frank); Nathan and Jennifer (children of Ann). For many years, their home in Garland was the focal point of many happy holidays, birthdays, and graduations. For so many of these events, daddy would be working a massive grill producing a commercial amount of smoked meats. He actually enjoyed cooking and both he and Cathy just loved hosting all the kids and grandkids.

Good parents and a stable home will change the lives of everyone in it. Richard & Cathy provided that loving environment for over 65 years and we cannot be grateful enough for it. Daddy taught us boys how to be men, then, gentlemen. He showed us all, by his example, how a full and loving life should be lived. I am so grateful that we had his guidance for so many years. Thank you, Daddy; rest in peace.

Johnny

Richard passed away on Tuesday March 31, 2020 in Richardson, TX. . He was born on August 16, 1929 to the late Lucile and Alfred Colapret. As a young boy Richard attended Providence Academy for grades 1-12 in Texarkana, Arkansas. Richard worked two years for Southwestern Gas Company. Next, He enlisted into the US Navy from 1950-1954 serving as a radioman. He went to Tyler Junior College for two years, attended Texas Tech University and graduated from East Texas State University in 1966 with a Bachelors degree in Mathematics and Physics.

Richard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Catherine, 5 children: John and his wife Kay Colapret, Frank, Ann, Patrick, Carol and her husband David Dixon as well as grandchildren Nathan and Jennifer Rust, Austin and Travis Colapret.

Due to the coronavirus the family will have a private mass of Christian burial 10am Tuesday, April 7, 2020. at St Edwards Catholic Church under the direction of East Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Since friends cannot attend the Mass, East Funeral Home will be streaming the service live at www.facebook.com/eastfuneralhome.

Mr. Colapret will lie in state room from 3pm to 8pm Monday April 6, 2020 for those who would like to sign his register book at the funeral home.

Online tributes can be posted at www.eastfuneralhomes.com.