George Kendall Richards

Richards, George Kendall, May 21, 1936, passed away Wednesday, May 10th 2017 at his home in Melissa, Texas. He is survived by his loving wife A.J. Richards, his sons Kyle and Kendall Richards, his daughter Kristi Richards, his daughter in-law Vivien Leyva, his granddaughters Kristen and Kelsey, his great granddaughter Taylor, and his grandsons Raven, Michael, Anthony, and Joshua. His son Marty Jones preceded him in death, August 21st, 2015. George was born in Kilgore, TX and spent most of his childhood in Overton, TX. He attended and graduated from North Texas State College (UNT) in 1957 where he was president of his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha. George started his professional career at the Ford Motor Company, Volkswagen of America and then became the General Manager of Central Volkswagen in Richardson, TX where he remained for 31 years until his retirement in 2001. George loved spending time with family and friends above all else. To say George was a social being would be a tremendous understatement. He loved being surrounded by good friends and family in any social setting available. Whether it be at the office, his favorite bar or restaurant, hunting and fishing outings, at his home or one of the several trips he would take when his busy schedule allowed. You would always be guaranteed to be greeted with a sly smile and an even more impressive log of stories and anecdotes. George’s story telling was legendary and certainly one of the many things we’ll miss the most. George loved people and was always looking for the best in everyone. If you were fortunate enough to cross his path and be included in his large circle of friends, you would have a partner for life who would open his heart and soul and give you whatever time was needed for any given situation. We’re often marveled at the number of friends and acquaintances that were touched by George’s kindness, generosity and friendship. George truly was the kindest of souls that was so very evident to all who knew him. While fiercely dedicated to friends and family, he was as equally dedicated to running a business that was efficient, profitable and above all else, steeped in dignity and respect. Had George entered any other line of work he would have been as equally successful. He treated his colleagues, employees, customers and peers with the utmost respect. We often saw him treat his hourly employees with as much dignity as the owner of the dealership. This is a trait we’ve respected the most and have tried to emulate in our own careers and social circles. George never passed up an opportunity to commend a job well done and show his appreciation for one’s efforts. While many people have had many “jobs” in their lives, we witnessed George bring people into his professional family. Words can’t express what this meant to the many people fortunate enough to work with George. We’ll all miss the man George Richards was and keep him in our hearts and minds as we travel down our remaining roads of life. He always set an example on how to live one’s life, to the fullest, and treat people he loved, with the utmost kindness and respect. He was as good a husband, father, grandfather and friend as anyone could hope to have. While sadness is experienced at his passing, we prefer to remember the man with great fondness and respect and celebrate the life he chose to live. Thank you George, you are loved more than you can know and will be missed by many heavy hearts. There will be a private memorial in Richardson at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the S.P.C.A. or the Salvation Army.