Tommy

Richey

Tommy Dean Richey passed away on November 7, 2026, leaving behind a family and community who will remember him with love.

Tommy was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Karen Ruth Ellis Richey; his parents, Billy Murray Richey and Josephine Boozer Richey; and his brothers, Rodney, Donald, and Larry Richey.

He is survived by his three children: Kiersten Rapstine, her husband, Emil Rapstine, and their children, Margot (13) and Ogden (11); Shane Richey and his children, Murry (14) and Arlo (11); and Jon Richey and his wife, Lindsey Whittington Richey, and their children, Adeline (17), Annabel (15), and Whitt (12). His brother, Nolan Richey, and wife Patricia, of Omaha, Texas; his sisters Janice Richey, of Omaha, Texas and Sue Gattis, of Winnsboro Texas; and a large extended family of in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many, many loved ones.

Tommy worked as a forester at International Paper in New Boston, Texas for his entire career. There was nowhere he would rather be than in the woods. He had an extraordinary knowledge of trees and nature, able to identify just about any tree and share his understanding of the world around him. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening, and he truly loved walking through the woods. More than anything, Tommy loved being surrounded by his family and spending time with children and grandchildren.

Tommy's Christian faith was a deeply important part of his life. He loaned his beautiful bass singing voice to the First Baptist Church of New Boston choir. He also sang with the Singing Men of East Texas and directed music at “The Oak Terrace Mission.”

Tommy's life was shaped by his love of God, his family, and his deep connection to nature. His memory will live on through the family he leaves behind, the faith he shared, and the many people whose lives he touched.

Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 15, 2026, at Concord Baptist Church in Omaha, Texas. Graveside Services will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Concord Cemetery in Omaha, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Concord Cemetery Association or the First Baptist Church New Boston Choir Fund.