Richard M. Bevis

Richard Bevis, 89 joined his Lord on February 22, 2011, surrounded by all of his loved ones in prayer. Richard was born in Memphis, TN on February 27, 1921. He is survived by his wife Dell Ann Williams, sons Blair, Cam, Richard and Daryl, grandchildren Allison, Mark, Promise and Ana.

Richard lived his childhood in Memphis, and attended Castle Heights Military Academy. Richard’s lifelong athleticism began young; putting most of his early focus into tennis and eventually earning the All Memphis Championship Title in singles.

Richard attended the University Of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford, TN., where he attained a degree in Finance. He played on Ole Miss’ Tennis team eventually becoming 2nd in the South in doubles.

After graduating Ole Miss, Richard chose to serve his country in The Navy as a lieutenant on board the aircraft carriers USS White Plains and the USS Enterprise, among others. His areas of specialization were navigation and damage control for large combatant vessels. The ships on which Richard was stationed were in almost every major battle in the Pacific Theater. Richard was again called to serve America during the Korean War; where he readied trainees for the practice of fire suppression and damage control for aircraft carriers.

Richard moved to Houston in the mid 50’s. Jobs being hard to come by after the war; he took a position as a manufacturer’s representative in the industrial field. His exposure to industry gave him the idea for his first product and eventual patent: The Hemco Gangway. Richard wanted preparation for entering an engineering –intensive field. This prompted him to re-enter school at The University of Houston where he earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He started Hemco Industries in 1956; growing it into a very successful enterprise. Hemco Gangways and Ramps were and are standard-bearers in their product category for safe, easy access to the top of tank cars and tank trucks. Hemco is still in operation today; run by his son, Richard III. Richard continued to be active in business until he was 86 years old.

Richard was an avid and accomplished golfer; and was a member at Champions Golf Club over the last 40 years, a place he loved and had many friends. Until recently, Richard was still making three rounds per week at Champions.

Health and athleticism were very important to Richard. He encouraged all of his boys into sports, and spent many hours on baseball fields and tennis courts tirelessly drilling them on fundamental skills. Staring in his forties through his 89th birthday, he was still swimming a half mile three times per week.

Richard was a devout Christian and a living example of Christ’s teachings. He regularly attended his church home at Chapelwood United Methodist Church.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six to eight on the evening of Thursday the 24th of February at Waltrip Funeral Home, 1415 Campbell Rd. 77055. The funeral service is to be conducted at 2:30 on Friday at Chapelwood Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street 77024. The funeral service will be preceded by a graveside service for family and close friends at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the American Lung Association.