A celebration of the life of Don Bruce Richards, 78, of Cushing, Texas, will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2016, at Landmark Baptist Church in Cushing. Bro. David Snelson will officiate. Burial will follow at Cushing City Cemetery. Bruce was born on September 8, 1938, in Cushing to Milburn Perry Richards and Johnnie Velma Rogers Richards, and passed away on September 11, 2016, in Nacogdoches. Bruce grew up in Cushing. He was a starting player for the Cushing Bearkat basketball and football teams, and worked for his father's construction business. He attended Stephen F. Austin State College. In 1957, Bruce married his high school sweetheart Joy Booker. They moved to Dallas in 1961, where they raised their three children. Bruce worked as a self-employed insurance agency owner for most of the 33 years they lived in Dallas. He enjoyed fishing, golfing and traveling in his motor home with his family and friends. In 1994, Bruce and Joy moved back to East Texas, eventually retiring to Bruce's beloved Cushing. He became an avid gardener, active member of Landmark Baptist Church, and was President of the Cushing City Cemetery Board for a number of years. Bruce was elected Cushing City Commissioner in 2002, and became Mayor of Cushing in 2003. He served as mayor until August 2014. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; son, Rodney Bruce Richards; sister, Minnie Francis Richards; brother Roger Richards; brother Keifer Richards; brother, Franklin Dee Richards; sister-in-laws Mildred Richards and Earlene Skelton; and brother-in-law Charles Penney. Bruce is survived by his wife of 59 years, Juanita Joy Richards; his daughter Donna Webb and son-in-law Kevan Webb of Cushing, Texas; daughter Monica Rosowski of Lufkin, Texas; grandsons Riley Webb and Kyle Richards Ross; granddaughters Melanie Rosowski and Anna Rosowski; sister Norma Penney; brother Mike Richards and his wife Debra; sister-in laws Ann Richards and Lydia Richards; and brother-in-law Bill Booker and his wife Beryl. Pallbearers are Matt Mehlenbacher, Cort Richards, Chase Richards, Bobby Richards, Kyle Richards Ross and Riley Webb. Honorary Pallbearers are Keith Delafield, Brian Delafield, Elbert Johnson, Jack Miller, Jay Miller, Jud Miller, Wayne Pittman, Rick Penney, Kent Penney, Donny Richards and Robert Sitton.
Dickie Allen Funeral Services
Published in The Daily Sentinel on Sept. 15, 2016