George L. Richey

George L. Richey, a loving husband, father, Papa, and friend was born May 23, 1941 in Oakdale, Louisiana to Bruce Laverne Richey and Hattie Lou Martin.

George was confirmed and had his first communion at St. Philips Catholic Church in Huffman, Texas.

At the age of 16, George started attending barber’s college. He became a Master Barber and spent all of his time practicing the trade. It did not take him long to learn that he was the only one working on the weekends, while his friends and family were having fun hunting and fishing. This made George decide very quickly that he needed to find a new trade so that he could join his family and friends. George then decided to go into the electrical field. George owned his own company at one time and then became a member of the union IBEW Local 716. Throughout his life he loved hunting and fishing and playing 42 with friends and family. There wasn’t too many times that you didn’t find him in a hunting blind. He passed this love of hunting down to his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. George was also a Hunting Safety Instructor. Teaching young children and adults the ethics and safety while hunting was a huge priority for him. He felt it was his job to protect everyone all the time. Then he was the shop Superintendent for Pfieffer Electric in Houston for many years before retirement.

Just as much as hunting, he loved making sausage, jerky, frying fish, frying turkey, and making his world famous “PAPA’S GUMBO”. George loved to cook and was always finding different ways to make salsa, though he always had to keep it on the “mild” side for Nana.

George was a devout member of the Catholic Church. He was very active with the ACT’s Retreats and the Knights of Columbus, Third Degree in Huffman, Texas and Fourth Degree in Baytown. After moving to Blanco in 1998, he was active in the Parish until his health would no longer let him be involved.

George was also a supporter of Blanco Schools, especially the Band program. While Joni was in school he spent many nights and weekends fixing up whatever they needed including outfitting the entire band trailer with lights. He loved the Blanco Panthers and always kept up with every sport or activity involving “his kids”. He even volunteered his time to guard the High School during a series of bomb threats. Again, him showing selflessness and putting others safety before his own.

On October 24, 1974, George married the love of his life, Frances Richey. Throughout their marriage you hardly ever saw them apart. Papa recently described seeing Nana for the first time as saying “she was something else.” The love they had for one another was like no other. Throughout their life together, Papa was always eagerly and selflessly giving his all to others. He and Nana have raised a many many kids as part of their family. Everyone was “his kid”. In his words, “the kids kept him going”. Family and extended family were everything to Papa. George, “Papa” was the type of person you would meet and instantly have a connection with. He would do anything for anyone without hesitation and without asking. A true servant of God and a HERO to so many. His late daughter Pam describes him best in this letter she wrote him: “I really need to thank God for sending us our very own guardian angel, my dad, my friend, my hero!”

George is preceded in death by his son Baby Richey, his daughter Pamela Cunningham, his parents Bruce Richey and Hattie Lou Martin, and his brother David Richey.

George is survived by his loving wife Frances Richey. His sisters Dorothy Waddelo (Darrell) from Conroe, TX and JoAnn Reeves (JR) from Lake Charles, LA.  Daughter, Brandy Meyer and husband  Daniel, along with grandkids Christian Currie, Michael Currie and Kaleb Meyer of Carver, MN. Daughter Cindy Blackard and husband Troy of Houston, TX along with grandkids Wesley Gilbert (Kim) and family of Blanco, TX, Joni McNamara (Bryan) and family of Blanco, TX, and Joe Gilbert (Brittany) and family of New Caney, TX. Daughter Brenda Gilbert and husband Tommy of Houston, TX along with grandkids Timothy Gilbert (Meagan) and family of Houston, TX and James Gilbert (Kendra) and family of Bangs, TX. Son, George Richey Jr. along with grandson Ron Richey of Houston, TX. Son, Randy Chappell of Seguin, TX. Son-in-law Tommy Cunningham of Conroe, TX. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family. He will be missed by so many. Pallbearers are Joe David Riba, Jason Bailey, Justin Jones, Brian Gaskamp, Daniel Meyer, Wesley Gilbert, Bryan McNamara and Roy Worsham.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday, October 18, 2018, at Crofts - Crow Funeral Home in Blanco, TX with a Rosary service at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church at 10:00am of Friday, October 19, 2018 with Father Jim Harnen as celebrant.  George will be laid to rest in Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Blanco, TX.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the Hill Country Hospice Group.