Roy Martin Richards Jr.

1947 - 2021

Roy Martin Richards, Jr.

Roy Martin Richards, Jr. passed away on February 13, 2021 in Denton, Texas, after a short illness. His family plans to hold a memorial service in Georgia later in the year, as gatherings become safer.

Martin was born in Atlanta, Ga., on May 13, 1947 to Roy Martin Richards, Sr. and Margaret Hunter Richards. He lived with his family in Greensboro, Ga., attending Greene County Schools. As a freshman, he was the drum major of the Greensboro High School Tiger Band and performed with them in the Orange Bowl Parade. Martin was a dedicated member of the Boy Scouts, becoming an Eagle Scout. After moving with his family to Atlanta in 1963, Martin graduated from Briarcliff High School in 1965.

As Martin finished a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in insurance risk management in the mid-1970s, he began an academic career at the University of Montana. In 1979, Martin moved to Dallas, Texas, where he worked as a consultant to the insurance industry and taught at the University of North Texas in Denton. As a full professor, Martin taught business computer information systems.

While teaching at North Texas, Martin met and married Ginny Tarpenning and began their 35-year marriage.

In 2000, Martin accepted a position at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He and Ginny moved to the community of Fairview, west of Nashville, and he helped build the Information Technology department at Belmont and led successful efforts for accreditation.

Martin retired from teaching in 2003 and fulfilled a life-long desire to work in law enforcement. He had received training through the Police Academy at UNT and had volunteered for the Denton County Sheriff's office before moving to Tennessee. He became a full-time officer for the city of Fairview and then a deputy in Williamson County Sheriff's office. His colleagues called him "Doc."

In 2005, he and Ginny moved back to Denton, where they lived until his death.

Martin continued his favorite pastimes throughout his life, playing trumpet in the Denton Community Band, directing the Denton Senior Center Chorus, serving as musical director of a local production of Joseph and His Technicolor Dreamcoat, building street rods and perfecting his take on Texas brisket. Martin was also a Master Gardener who specialized in rainwater harvesting.

Martin is survived by his wife of 35 years, Virginia Lynn Tarpenning Richards; siblings William Hunter Richards, Sr. (Marlene), Mary Margaret Richards (Dennis Dooley), Helen Anne Richards, John J. Richards Sr.; father-in-law Bob Tarpenning (Patsy); mother-in-law Emily Tarpenning; sister-in-law Christine Tarpenning; nieces Jennifer Tarpenning and Carson Richards; and nephews William Hunter Richards, Jr., Hamilton Griffith Richards, John J. Richards, Jr., and William Jackson Richards.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law Michael Darrin Tarpenning.

Online condolences may be made to www.mulkeybowlesmongomery.com