Richard Craig Lee

Richard Lee, 60, of Paris, TX, passed away on January 3rd, 2026 at home.

Richard was born on August 17th, 1965, in Pensacola, FL to Rex and Mary Lee. He graduated from Skyline High School, in Dallas, Texas, where he specialized in Graphic Arts in their magnet program. He was an avid soccer player, where he played on select teams, learning to speak Spanish fluently to keep up with other players, as the Latino teams dominated this sport. A serial entrepreneur, he loved bringing businesses to life and building them from the ground up, enjoying the challenges and freedom that came from running his own business. He married Regina Hopkins on December 2nd, 1993. Together they flourished as partners in life for 32 years, building businesses and most importantly, a family legacy.

In 1997, they moved from Dallas to Lamar County to raise their family and operate their marketing company and most recently, for almost five years their restaurant, High Cotton Kitchen.

Richards greatest passion was knowing Christ and making Him known. He was a member of Leesville Baptist Church in Bagwell. Richard never met a stranger; everyone was a chance for a new friend that he saw as a gift from God. Even the smallest interactions brightened his day, and he would come home beaming to tell his family all about it, with many conversations starting "Guess who I met today?" Whether hosting Bible studies in his home or striking up a conversation with someone new, he had a gift for making every person feel seen, valued, and important. His love for the Lord overflowed into his love for people and he consistently pointed others towards faith, fellowship, and righteous living.

Richard is survived by his wife, Regina Lee, his nine children: Lylie Lee, Nicholas Lee, Spencer and his wife Brenda Lee, Aaron and his wife Anna Lee, Taylor Lee, Truman and his wife Rylee Lee, Madison Lee, Reagan Lee, and McKinley Lee. Grandchildren: Joshua Lee, Phillip Lee, Esmeralda Lee, Spencer Lee, Jr., Deliliah Lee, Aaron Lee, Jr., Noah Lee, Chance Lee, Archie Lee, Ronan Lee, Elijah Lee, and Nicholas Lee, Jr., and one great-grandchild, Joshua Lee, Jr. He is also survived by his sister Sandra Johnston. He is preceded in death by his parents Rex and Mary Cowling Lee.

Pallbearers will be Spencer Lee, Truman Lee, Josiah Newman, Emmett Capt V, Howdy Capt, Jacob Jones, Seth Jones, and Noah Jones.

The visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, January 6th from 5-7pm at Fry Gibbs Funeral Home in Paris TX. Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, January 7th at 10:30am at Leesville Baptist Church in Bagwell, TX, with interment to follow at Leesville Cemetery.

In memory of Richard, please consider making a donation to the Pregnancy Care Center in Paris, Texas in place of flowers.