Reu Richards

Reu Richards Reu Richards passed away peacefully at his home in Midland on Monday, September 27, 2010 at age 75. Reu was born on October 6, 1934 to Reu Richards Covey and Ione Evangiline Covey in Holton, Kansas. After growing up in Houston, Catalina Island, California and Culver City, California, Reu graduated from high school in Sacramento, California. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1957 based in Fort Lewis, Washington and later served as a radio operator in Germany. Following his honorable discharge in 1963, Reu worked as a plastic sign fabricator in Sacramento City College, graduating with an aircraft A&P mechanics degree. The Richards family moved to Midland in 1969 when Reu gained employment with Windecker Research. Reu later co-founded Acrylic Image, Inc., an acrylic fabrication and gift shop in 1971, which Reu and Jo Anne operated until 2006. Reu's works were displayed at prestigious venues including the Kimball Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas and the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming as well as several private collections. Reu enjoyed several hobbies including woodworking, oil painting, auto restoration, archery, gardening and he was a world-class model builder. His model portfolio included automobiles, aircraft, railroads, ships, submarines and dioramas and are owned by numerous collectors. On September 7, 1957 Reu married the love of his life, Jo Anne, in Sacramento, California. They recently celebrated their 53rd anniversary together with friends in Midland. Reu was preceded in death by his parents, Reu and Ione Covey, and his stepfather, Dick Richards. He is survived by his wife, Jo Anne Hutchinson Richards of Midland, Texas; a daughter, Connie Richards Wagner and husband Joseph John Wagner of Los Angeles, California and their children Brian Wagner, Paul Wagner and Claire Wagner; a son, Cory Richards and wife Amy of Plano, Texas and their children Audrey Richards and Charlotte Richards; a sister, Judy Graves and Nat Graves of Gilmer, Texas; a brother in law, Stephen Hutchinson of Sacramento and nephews, Sidney Hutchinson, Richard Hutchinson, Victor Hutchinson, Mark Hutchinson and Paul Bertsch. The family requests that memorials be directed to Buffalo Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America or the Aphasia Center of West Texas. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 4:00pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Fetterly officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com