Richard Earl Eggleston

RICHARD EARL EGGLESTON, 38, passed away on January 1, 2006 at his home in Tomball after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on January 14, 1967 in Lufkin, Texas. Rick, or Ricky, as he was known, was predeceased by his father Earl Eggleston and a brother, Michael Eggleston. He is survived by his wife, Meredith Voytek Eggleston, and his children, Kathryn Jordan and Richard Andrew. Also surviving are his mother, Marjorie Murray of Dayton; brother, Pat Eggleston and wife Barbara of Dayton; sisters, Lori Sager and husband James of Highlands, Lisa Wilson and husband, Mike of The Woodlands. His father-in-law and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Sandra Voytek of Dayton, and sister-in-law, Marcia Voytek Tillman and husband Tom of Conroe. Nieces and nephews include Julie Ripkowski, Ashley Woods, Patrick Eggleston, Michael Marcontell, Kendra Sager, Lauren and Cara Wilson, and Sarah and Julia Tillman. Rick was a 1985 graduate of Dayton High School where he played football, basketball and baseball. His accomplishments in athletics include recognition in All-District 4-A teams for each sport his junior and senior years. Named to the Greater Houston Football teams both junior and senior seasons, Rick etched his name in DHS football annals with a career reception mark of 1500 yards with 100 catches. Rick attended Sam Houston State University on an athletic scholarship and graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science and in 1995 with a Master of Education degree. As a Sam Houston Bearkat he was named to several All-Conference and All-American teams, ranking high in several statistical categories, including career yards, catches, and touchdowns. His performance against the University of Houston in 1987 produced seven catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns, and is considered one of the best ever performances by a Bearkat receiver. Rick received All-American honors in 1988. In 1999, Rick was inducted into the Sam Houston Athletic Hall of Honor. Rick's success as a team player carried him again onto the field as a varsity football and basketball coach at Tomball High School. He worked for the Tomball Independent School District for fifteen years as a coach and teacher of biology, geology and oceanography at Tomball High School and applied sciences at Willow Wood Junior High School. Rick was a sponsor of Cougars for Christ and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for many years. Rick was an active member of First Baptist Church of Tomball. A celebration of Rick's life will be held at First Baptist Church, Tomball, on January 3, 2006 at 10 a.m. The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Rick Eggleston Scholarship Fund established at Texas National Bank in Tomball or Legend Bank in Dayton, Texas in memory of Rick's life for students and his commitment to education.