Darrel Lee Richards

Darrel Lee Richards, age 83, of Austin, TX, peacefully transitioned to heaven on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Darrel was born in Centralia, Missouri, on December 2, 1941, to the late Robert Lee Richards and Myrtle Jane (Colwell) Richards. Darrel married Mary Diane Shupert on 9/2/1961 at Centennial Baptist Church in Mexico, Missouri. Together, they had four children. A son, Ronald Lee (daughter-in-law Mary Yoder Richards), and three daughters, Lori Ann Richards Asher (son-in-law Joe Asher), Tina Beth Richards Rickard (son-in-law Brian Rickard), and Shari Dawn Richards Bell (son-in-law Kevin Bell). Later, Darrel met and married Shirley Ann (Johnson) Hall on 8/13/1983 in Austin, Texas, at a family friend's home. Shirley has a daughter from her first marriage, Theresa Marie Hall, whom Darrel called his own. Darrel is survived by his wife Shirley, 5 children, 10 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren! He is also survived by his siblings, Ann “Sis” (husband Gene Kelly), James “Bud” Richards, Edwin “Eddie” (wife Flara) Richards, Mary “Snooky” (husband Harry) Poettgen, his sister-in-law Peggy Richards, Brothers-in-law Richard “Bub” Johnson, Larry Johnson (wife Paulette), Jerry “Squeak” Johnson, Michael Johnson, Kenneth “Cuz” Johnson, and sister-in-law, Brenda “Bitsy” Johnson Bray & fiancé, Steve. And we cannot forget the four-legged furry family member, Ranger. He is also survived by countless nieces and nephews, many friends, family, and his poker buddies!!!! He is preceded in death by siblings Linda Sue Richards and Curtis Dillard “C.D.” Richards, his brother-in-law John Johnson, and sisters-in-law Marlyn Richards, Doris “Dodie” Nole, Frances “Fanny” Ketchum, Patricia “Patty” Johnson, Cheryl (Cheri) Johnson, and Sharron (Sherry) Johnson. At a young age, Darrel said, “When I grow up, I want to be a junk man!” He was no Sanford and Son, but he was always entrepreneurial and owned several car-related businesses throughout his life. In his early life, he owned a full-service station in his hometown of Sturgeon, Missouri. While living in Columbia, Missouri, he owned Darrel’s Texaco on the Business Loop. After moving to Texas in 1978, he owned Texas Auto Trim (T.A.T) for several years and DR’s Used Cars for over 20 years. His hobby and passion were playing poker…Specifically, Texas Hold ‘Em! He also enjoyed Craps and Roulette. He enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas in the ‘80s, often as a high roller. He frequently stayed at the Golden Nugget Casino and Hotel. He was a man of few words; however, if you got him talking about sports, especially football…especially the Texas Longhorns, Dallas Cowboys, and the Kansas City Chiefs, gambling, or classic cars, you would have him talking up a storm. He had a knack for seeing a classic car and quickly spouting off the year, make, and model of the vehicle. He was just a car man! Darrel was also a bit of a prankster and enjoyed making people laugh. This may have included taking his false teeth out and teasing the kids or telling them that the tip of his left big toe was gone because “A turtle bit it off at the Lake of the Ozarks”. (IYKYK) The family will hold a Celebration of Life on Friday June 13, 2025 from 2-6 p.m. at the Sturgeon Rec Center in Sturgeon, Missouri. His wishes were to be cremated and his ashes to be buried in his wife's family cemetery, Hornsby Cemetery, in Kingsville, Missouri. Burial will be Saturday June 14, 2025 @ 2 p.m The family would like to thank Trinity Hospice and Windsory Nursing and Rehabilitation for the extra care and kindness in his final weeks and days. There are too many special angels to name, but we hope they know how much we appreciate the care they gave him. In lieu of flowers and cards, the Richards Family asks that you please donate to the following organizations to help find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease: https://www.parkinson.org/ https://www.michaeljfox.org/ https://www.heart.org/

Darrel Lee Richards

December 2, 1941 - April 15, 2025