Jack Homer Richard

FORT WORTH -- Jack Homer Richard, 85, died Monday, Sept. 22, 2014, at a Bedford hospice and care center. Service: A private family graveside service will take place in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth. Memorials: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kan. 66675. Jack Richard was born Sept. 24, 1928, in Ligonier, Ind., to Lois Line Richard. His father was killed in an ice house explosion just before his birth. Jack was raised by his mother and grandparents, and was the oldest of three children. Jack excelled in math and science, and was selected as an alternate candidate to West Point upon graduation from Ligonier High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force immediately after school, and trained for a career in meteorology. He was introduced to his future wife from nearby Goshen, Ind., Ida Miller, at a "soda fountain" in Ligonier. They fell in love and married in 1949. Jack's 20-year Air Force career took him around the world, where he opened weather stations and advised pilots. He served in two conflicts, Korea and Vietnam, and completed his career as a senior master sergeant. Jack then became a regional manager of U-Haul, when he trained U-Haul owners in the southwest. Then, prior to his retirement, he helped design and install industrial lightning protection systems for Lightning Protection Southwest. Jack and Ida enjoyed 49 years of marriage. They traveled and enjoyed spending time with children and grandchildren. After Ida's death, Jack married Arlene Larson of Fort Worth. They were married five years. After Arlene passed away, Jack married Norma White, a retired employee of AT&T. Both were very active in church work at Forest Park Baptist Church, where Jack was a deacon. Jack's children praised him for his commitment to family. "He wanted us to be raised in one location (Amarillo). So, wherever he was stationed for temporary duty, he commuted to Texas so we could stay in the same schools," one child said. "He was a hard worker, with a strong work ethic," another said. "I attribute my work attitude to the good example he set for me." Survivors: Wife, Norma Richard; daughter, Erica and husband, Rix Quinn; daughter, Diana Sobey; son, Mark and wife, Micki Richard; daughter, Toni Sherman; grandchildren, Dr. Chris Sobey and wife, Dr. Jenna Helmer Sobey, Katie Fultz and husband, Tyler Fultz, Sarah Richard, Alex Sobey, Rebecca Sobey and the Rev. Kevin Richard; and great-grandchild, Aria Fultz. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jack Homer Richard please visit our Sympathy Store.