Richard George Brelsford

Richard George Brelsford

LOS ANGELES, CA - Richard George Brelsford died on Monday, October 1, 2007 at his home in Los Angeles, CA. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 11:00am in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church in Shreveport, followed by a private graveside service. Officiating will be Reverend Pat Day.

Richard was born May 2, 1957, in Houston, TX. He graduated from Captain Shreve High School and attended Southwestern University in Georgetown Texas where he majored in music and was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity.

During his life in Shreveport, Richard totally immersed himself in music, theater and spirituality. During high school he was a faithful member of the Chapel Choir at First Methodist Church. He participated in many community theater productions of the Shreveport Little Theater, Marjorie Lyons Playhouse and First Methodist Church and was lifetime member of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Among his most memorable performances was his role as Jesus Christ in the production of Godspell, directed by Dr. Will K. Andress of First Methodist Church. This was a 3,500 mile, 7 state tour where the cast held 12 performances of the production. Richard's devotion to spirituality and music were evident to everyone who had the opportunity to know him.

Following college, Richard moved to Aspen, Colorado where he became an exceptional snow skiing competitor. Los Angeles was his next home where he continued performing in numerous music and theater productions. Among his professional endeavors, Richard studied and received professional licensing and accreditation and thus began employment as a Personal Fitness Coach.

Richard also had a great admiration and love of animals. He always had a dog throughout his childhood and his passion for caring for and fostering displaced animals grew throughout his adult years. It was very common for him to provide shelter and care for wounded or lost animals and attempt to find them good homes. As a result, Richard's family grew because of his perceived lack of 'good homes'. His brother Mark, often commented that Richard did not generally find animals in need, but that 'animals in need found Richard'.

As a caring and compassionate individual, Richard would strive to make everyone he knew feel special and had an unconscious talent for attracting and helping those in need. He had a genuine love for life and would always encourage others to smile and live life to its fullest.

Richard is preceded in death by his father, George Brelsford, his grandparents, Colonel and Mrs. Myron Blalock of Marshall, TX and Mr. and Mrs. Homer Brelsford of Tyler, TX. He is survived by his devoted partner of 7 years, Michael Hruska, his mother, Jo Ann Blalock Brelsford, his sister, Linda McCutchen and husband Bill, of Houston, Texas and brother Mark Brelsford and wife Joellyn, of Dripping Spring, Texas.

Memorials may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal.