Richard Bernard Edmonson

Richard grew up in Colfax, Texas. He graduated from Van High School in 1943 where he played baseball and basketball. After high school he worked for Massey Grocery Store then North American (currently Vought).

In November of 1945 Richard was drafted into the US Army. He served 2 years, 8 months of which were served over seas. During his service while on leave to visit his parents in Grand Prairie he met Annette Holveck. He earned a Bronze Star, Asiatic-Pacific Theater World War II Victory Medal and Occupation Medal Japan. After being honorable discharged he married Annette on February 21, 1947.

They settled in Grand Prairie, Texas where he worked as a mechanic for Roy Hill Chevrolet in Oak Cliff then worked in carpenter before going to Vought in 1951. He retired from Vought in 1984.

Richard was a long time member of First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie. He enjoyed watching the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys. His favorite past times included hunting and fishing, especially at his cabin in Hubbard, Texas.

He was a loving husband and a no-nonsense father. To his children was a military man who was stern but caring. When he had grandchildren he could still be stern but was described as being funny. Then when he had great-grandchildren he loved to be with them and babysit.

Richard is preceded in death by his father Charles Leland Edmonson, mother Rena Bell Hendley and sister Sue Pyron.

He is survived by his wife Annette Edmonson; children: Cynthia Knight and her husband, Don, Connie Hamilton and her husband, Larry; grandchildren: Brad Liles and his wife, Heather, Wade Liles and his wife, Brittany, Craig Hamilton and his wife, Carrie, Kyle Hamilton and his wife, Britney, Casee Neal and her husband, Joel; great-grandchildren: Kaitlyn Liles, Gavin Liles, Caiden Hamilton, Grant Hamilton, Caleb Hamilton, Chloe Neal, Jordan Neal, Paige Hamilton, soon-to-be Cash Neal and his sister Joy Garrett along with numerous nieces and nephews.