Richard Curtis Merchant

1925 - 2015

Richard Curtis Merchant
1925-2015
Richard Curtis Merchant, 90, of Houston, TX passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2015. Richard was born March 2, 1925 in Chico (Wise County), Texas. The son of Richard Caleb and Louella Frances (Williams) Merchant. His early years were spent on a farm about four miles east of Chico and about a mile west of a small community known as West Academy. He attended public school in Chico and graduated in 1942 and enrolled in Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas that fall. In July 1943 he joined the United States Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II aboard the USS LaGrange, APA124. Following discharge from the Navy in December 1945, he resumed his college studies at Hardin-Simmons University where he graduated in 1949 with a BBA Degree, majoring in accounting. He lived in Abilene until 1963 at which time he moved to Brownwood, Texas and lived there until 1968. In 1967, while living in Brownwood, Richard met the love of his life, Patricia Anne (Underwood). In 1968, Richard moved to Houston, Texas where he and Patricia were married and have resided ever since.
Richard is a member of Champion Forest Baptist Church of Houston. While living in Brownwood, Richard was active in the Kiwanis Club and was an officer in the Brownwood Civic Music Association. He was a member of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, The Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Houston Chapter of the TSCPA.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Winnie Lorena Flowers of Chico and Willie Irene Shackelford of Abilene; his daughter Judy Ann Settles of San Angelo and his nephew Jerry Lynn Shackelford of Abilene
Richard is survived by his wife, Patricia Anne of the home in Houston; his granddaughter Candace Anne Sage of San Angelo; his great niece Angela D. (Shackelford) Huge, her husband Michael and three children, Nicholas, Matthew and Brianna of Dallas; his great nephew Richard Lynn Shackelford and his wife Kristi of Waco and several cousins.
A graveside service will be 1PM, Friday, December 18, 2015 at Klein Memorial Park, 9714 FM2920, Tomball, TX 77375.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hardin-Simmons University Scholarship Fund.