Roll Call Tribute

Published in Midland Reporter-Telegram on April 29, 2012

Kyle Wade Richardson
04/16/84 - 04/25/12 Kyle waltzed through life and everybody he met wanted to dance. Kyle Wade Richardson lived each day of his short life as if it were his last. He woke up every morning completely focused on the endless possibilities that awaited him and marched forward with a smile on his face and a positive attitude in his heart. Kyle left us on April 25, 2012 in pursuit of his final memory. As with all of his endeavors, Kyle breezed through Ozona High School where he graduated Suma Cum Laude and Valedictorian. He participated in 4-H, was quarterback of his football team and was inducted into the National Honor Society. Kyle loved technology and played an integral part in his school's computer systems. Kyle attended Texas A&M University where he received both a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. In addition, he was awarded the Business Management Certificate for Engineers, the Engineering Scholars Program, the Bill and Janice Hanna Scholarship and the Abell-Hanger Scholarship. Kyle served as Vice President of the Pi Tau Sigma Honors Society, elected Muster Host and Leader of Freshmen Engineers. Kyle was also a member of the Kappa Alpha Order where he served as Corresponding Secretary, Philanthropy Chair, Scholarship Chair, Alumni Committee, Pledge Class President and was elected to the Order of Omega Honor Society where he served as Vice President. While studying at Texas A&M University, Kyle traveled to Argentina where he studied Spanish in a university setting. He also studied abroad for six weeks in Germany. Finally, Kyle managed to obtain his Rescue Scuba Diver Certification and his Private Instrument Pilot Rating. After graduating from Texas A&M, Kyle continued working on the family's Crockett County ranch but was immediately hired by ExxonMobil US Production. Later he was employed by Lewis Energy in their drilling division. Next, Kyle became the lead engineer for J Cleo Thompson and was planning to return to Lewis Energy as completions engineer. Indeed, Kyle loved adventure and pushing himself towards perfection. But what Kyle loved most was his family. His brother Clay and his sister Codi were undoubtedly his closet friends. Kyle considered them a "team" and they lived, worked and played as such along with his loving parents Wade and Jane. Never has there been a closer-knit family. Kyle met the love of his life, Nicole Lewis of San Antonio, Texas and they were engaged to be married on September 29, 2012. Kyle and Nicole shared so much in common. Both students of knowledge, both seasoned aviators, both lovers of adventure and both totally committed to one another. Kyle was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Charlie Schwartz. Survivors include his mother Jane Richardson; his fiance Nicole Lewis; his brother and sister-in-law Clay and Andie Richardson and their son West; his sister and brother-in-law Codi and Taylor Kingman; his fraternal grandparents Glen and Rosalie Richardson; his maternal grandmother Gertrude Schwartz and his aunt and uncle Kem and Robert Kyburz and their children Peyton, Ryan and Kate. Pall Bearers include Lawson Mertz, Will Slaughter, Charles Campbell, Josh Grizzle, Coley Means, Chase Clark, Wilson Stokes, Ted Spence, G.L. Bunger and Mark Foley. Honorary Pall Bearers are Norman Smith, Jared Spence, Mort Mertz, Chet Stuart, Lance Voekel and Jennifer Bowen Funeral services will be held at the Ozona United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 30 followed by burial at Cedar Hills Cemetery. Kyle's family requests memorials be made to The Wade and Kyle Richardson Memorial Fund, c/o San Angelo Area Foundation, 2201 Sherwood Way, San Angelo, Texas 76901.