Gene Allan Richardson

Gene was born at home in Kennett, Missouri, the youngest of five children, four surviving: Paul, Helen, June, and Gene. His parents, Irl and Pearl Richardson, were lifetime residents of southeast Missouri. Pearl was a homemaker, and Irl was a postal worker and Baptist pastor. Growing up in Kennett, Gene ran his own newspaper franchise and played tennis and football. He enjoyed choir and playing trumpet in a trio, the marching band, and a jazz band. After graduating from high school in 1950, Gene attended Baylor University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1954. He graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in 1957. At 26, Gene combined his natural business sense and medical training to create a family practice in far west Sanderson, Texas. With the nearest hospital 65 miles away, he was the only doctor caring for this large rural county. In 1959, Gene married Mary Margaret Collins. In 1960, they moved from Sanderson to Galveston, where he completed his residency in radiology before settling in Baytown, Texas. Gene practiced radiology, served on multiple hospital boards, and was President of East Harris County Medical Society. In 1973, Gene co-founded a mobile nuclear medicine company to serve small U.S. hospitals. In 1987, Gene and Mary moved to Hideaway, Texas. Gene retired from radiology at 58 and pursued investing in resources, real estate, and numismatic coins; fishing with family; golf with the Hideaway Duffers; and snow skiing with friends in Crested Butte until age 80. Gene established a nonprofit organization, Ultrasound Fund for Latin America. He furnished ultrasound equipment and trained medical staff in small community hospitals in Mexico. Gene later joined Helps International. With an ultrasound machine in his backpack, he traveled with medical professionals to treat patients in isolated areas of Guatemala, many of whom walked 30 miles or more to be seen. Gene lived adventurously, paving the way for family and groups of friends to travel together. As a lifelong learner, Gene discovered other cultures and world history through travel. Gene and Mary joined Baylor in the British Isles for five summers, where Gene and Dr. Bill Hillis developed a course for pre-med students. Gene and Mary then backpacked across Europe. For 70 years, Gene actively supported Baylor University’s academics, athletics, and mission. He attended over 220 Baylor football games and especially loved attending the games with his grandkids. Gene enjoyed music throughout life and played trumpet in the Baylor marching band. He added rich bass harmonies to the Baylor Bards Men’s Chorus, Hideaway Lake Community Church Choir, and quartets. Gene taught line-dancing and loved to jitterbug from his teens to his 90’s. In his book, Gene’s Memories, Gene wrote, “I have had, and continue to have, a very fulfilling life. I have been so blessed to have a wonderful wife. I could not have chosen a more perfect helpmate: Mary. My love for her has grown through the 65 years of our marriage. Our two children, Gene, Jr. and Kay have developed into such capable adults who have great character and wonderful personalities. I am so proud of them! Our grandchildren: Caroline, Daniel, and Kathryn have developed into superb young people. Each of them give me much joy – they are wonderful!” Every year for 38 years, Gene and Mary hosted the Richardson-Cargill family reunion. In 2024, Gene shared with his beloved family: “God has given us gifts, and one of the greatest gifts he has given us is life itself. It allows us to enjoy our relationships with family and friends. So if you take faith, family, and friends, those are the three F’s we are to follow. And two attributes that God gives us that are very important are grace and mercy.” Gene is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Gene A. Richardson, Jr. and wife, Jennifer of Dallas; daughter, Kay Martin-Richardson and husband, Eric of Port Townsend, WA; grandchildren Caroline Richardson Taylor and husband, Jack of Dallas; Daniel N. Richardson and Kathryn C. Richardson of Waco. Gene’s life will be celebrated on Monday, December 16 at 10:00 am at Hideaway Lake Community Church, 1115 Lake Cross Rd, Hideaway, TX, reception following. Open visitation is on Sunday, December 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Caudle-Rutledge-Daugherty Funeral Home in Lindale. Memorial gifts may be made to the Hideaway Lake Community Church Music Ministry, Baylor University https://bbis.baylor.edu/give?id=49837&a=2&f=425SFVV&scode=25_BOA_RICHARDSONFAM, and Trinity Christian Academy, Dallas https://www.trinitychristian.org/give/give-now

Gene Allan Richardson

October 17, 1932 - December 4, 2024