The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Dr. Don V. Richey, 87, of Orange, went to be with his beloved Savior Monday, April 2.

He was born in Fellsmere, FL, on May 14, 1924. Rev. Richey was a beloved pastor who served for over 68 years shepherding congregations in and around Waco, Corpus Christi, and the Golden Triangle area.

He was referred to by many as “a builder of churches” as he built church buildings at all of his pastorates. He relocated and built new facilities in both Corpus Christi and Port Arthur for the churches that he pastored. Dr. Richey served two four year terms on the Executive Board of the Southern Baptist Convention of Texas. He also served on the Board of Regions of the University of Corpus Christi. Interested in mission work, Dr. Richey participated in mission revivals in Palmer, Alaska, Gamboa, Panama; and Victoria, Brazil.

He is preceded in death by his father, Fermon Richey; his mother, Beula Richey; his brother, Rev. Avery Richey and one grandson, James Harlan, Jr.

A devoted and much loved husband, father, grand-father, and great-grandfather, Bro. Don is survived by his wife of 70 years, Larue; three children and their spouses: Jeanie and Roy Brewer, Rev. Don and Shirley Richey, and Norma and Ray Wright; six grandchildren and their spouses, Jeana and Bob Vermillion, Robert and Kristi Richey, Kristy and Micah Dearing, Ryan and Kristin Richey, Jamie and Michael Calkins, and Jason Wright; and seven great-grandchildren, Brandon Willis, Bethany Vermillion, Aaron Miller, Kalae and Rayden Richey, and Zec and Samuel Richey; and blended family members.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 6, at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Point Eagle Heights Baptist Church in Orange. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

The family request that memorials be made to the foreign mission program.