Richard Thomas Kercheval, Jr.

Richard Thomas “Rick” Kercheval, Jr., 73, of Carrollton, Texas, passed away peacefully at home, on February 19, 2026, following a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. Rick was born, August 14, 1952, in Houston, Texas, where he grew up with a younger brother and sister and graduated high school. He attended college at Southwest Texas State, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Houston, until finally finding a home at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, where he graduated in 1976. During his final semester at A&M he met Paula Chapman and they were married two years later. In their almost 50 years together they raised four amazing children and enjoyed God’s reward of 12 incredible grandchildren.

From a young age Rick enjoyed model making, that culminated in his most unusual Christmas yard display that included ships sailing in the yard and planes flying in the trees. He also spent a short time volunteering in the model shop at the Frontiers of Flight Museum until his illness made that impossible. Rick was also known as the family weatherman, having each family member’s home marked on his various weather apps and on more than one occasion sent our alerts before the weather service could.

Rick’s strongest passion, even beyond family, was his passion for Jesus. He knew and loved the Lord and was willing to share with anyone (and everyone!) the reason for his HOPE. He enjoyed his time teaching Sunday School in the various churches where the family were members and he was a perpetual student of God’s Word. He logged more than 25 years in Bible Study Fellowship, most as a leader in the BSF Student Program.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Rosmary Weis Kercheval. He is survived by his wife, Paula and their children Jason (Jaime), Christy (Mike) Trabun, Bart (Kat), and Kelly (Brandon) Mann, along with their twelve grandchildren, Cade, Gage, Hudson, Beckham, Coen, Shiloh, Merritt, CJ, Jenny, Ana, Clara, and Archie. He is also survived by his brother Steve and sister Lynn along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and loved ones. He loved many dogs in his life, but his faithful yellow lab, Dolly, kept him moving and laughing through his diesease, and was by his side to his last breath.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 4pm at Trinity Fellowship Church, 932 S Greenville Ave, Richardson, TX with a reception following the service. The service will also be livestreamed via the church’s Facebook page – Trinity Fellowship Church, Richardson, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donation be made to Bible Study Fellowship or a charity of your choice. In addition, the family would like to thank the incredible team at UT Southwestern who walked with Rick during the three years of his pancreatic cancer journey. They absolutely made the quality of those three years more than we ever dared dream. Trips were taken, memories were made, and love was shared.