Richard Albert Winn, 86, of College Station, Texas, passed away on September 20, 2017. Burial will be in Winn Cemetery near Marquez.

Richard was born in Marquez, Texas, to the late Richard A. Winn, Sr. and Donna Lee Wilson Winstead. Growing up and attending school, Richard worked with his father and brothers to take care of their land, growing hay for the herd of cattle they bred and sold to support the family. Being the youngest of six and not old enough to support the war effort, Richard, at the early age of ten, was the only son available to take on the responsibilities of his father and two older brothers at home.

After graduating from high school, Richard attended two years of college at Southwest Texas State University (SWTSU) in San Marcos. In January of 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he was on active duty in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean during the Korean War until November of 1953. After his active duty, he went back to SWTSU to finish is BBA degree and continued with six more years in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

After marrying Gayle Allison in 1956 his career in oil and gas began in Sweeny, Texas, at Natural Gas Pipeline of America (NGPLA) as a Safety Engineer. After having his first daughter, the family moved to Arkansas where his second daughter was born. He then moved his family to Virginia, where they lived for five years. While on Capitol Hill, as a Staff Assistant at NGPLA, Richard followed his stoic work ethic, diplomatic patriotism and love of his country to seize the opportunity to converse with presidents, future presidents and some of the most influential congressmen in the U.S. government at that time.

In 1963, Richard moved his family back to Houston, where he eventually retired from Tenneco as a Sales Representative. Some years later, Richard married Yolande (Yogi) Solois and his family grew, as Yolande had five children of her own. After Richard retired in 1990, he lived part-time in a rustic camp house on his property in Marquez for two years, where he raised his own herd of cattle and started his liquid feed business, Winn-Agri. When Yolande retired, Richard, who enjoyed introducing his new family to the ways of country living, built a home for them there. His talents melded with theirs and created an unbreakable bond. Yolande and Richard journeyed to many countries learning about their cultures and taking in their sites.

After nearly 30 years of marriage, Richard and Yolande moved to College Station, Texas. Richard lost his beloved Yolande in December of 2013. In 2014, Richard met Lois Brokenbourgh of College Station, Texas. Both of their lives were rejuvenated and a new joy in life was awakened after the loss of both of their previous beloveds. They began a new and cherished journey together. Again, families blended, as Lois had a married son and grandson plus many immediate and extended family members of her own. Although their time together was short, there was never a dull moment. At every opportunity Richard and Lois embarked on adventures, traveling the country and Richard also began introducing Lois to life outside of the city.

Richard was an active member in all the communities where he lived, presiding as President of the Concord-Robins Water District in Leon County and belonging to Kiwanis and the Lions Club. He always took time to meet his neighbors and make frequent visits to them, along with his friends and family.

Richard was a member of the Marquez Methodist church and attended nearly all Marquez community fundraisers, often assisting in community projects. Richard has supported the American Cancer Society, walking the midnight walks, and has attended many Hospice functions and fundraisers, giving generously to the cause.

An avid sports fan, Richard faithfully attended the Leon High School football and girls’ volleyball games and was a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys (while Tom Landry was Head Coach), the Houston Oilers, now Texans and the Aggies. He enjoyed being a patient teacher and mentor, and through carefully considered words he instilled confidence in the lives he touched. Lessons learned, never to be forgotten.

Survivors include his wife, Lois; daughter, Jeanniene Winn; son-in-law, Ray Kiepert; granddaughter, Ayla Kiepert; step-sons: Michael and Gary Desautels, and David Nolen; step-daughters: Lori and Linda Desautels, and Denise Leach; sister, Gene Watson; and many dearly loved nieces, nephews, step-nieces, step-nephews, a number of grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. N5