Robert Earl Richardson, Jr., known to his many friends as "Robert Earl" or "Bob", passed peacefully on December 15, 2024, just short of his 85th birthday, surrounded by family.  He was born on December 26, 1939, to Robert Earl ("Dick") Richardson, Sr. and Ruby Noble Richardson at Wilson N. Jones Hospital in Sherman, Texas.  He graduated from Sherman High School in 1958 where he excelled at football and track.  He went on to attend Austin College where he continued his football and track career, graduating in 1962.  It was at Austin College that he met the love of his life, Cheryl Ann Olufs.  They were married on December 26, 1962, and remained married for 52 years until Cheryl's passing on May 8, 2015.  The couple had one child, Ed Richardson, in 1973.  Robert Earl's pride and joy were his twin grandsons, Logan Edward Richardson and Robert Earl ("Trip") Richardson, III.  Following Cheryl's passing, Robert Earl fell in love with and married Kathy Caylor Richardson, and enjoyed almost nine more years of blissful marriage until his passing.

Robert Earl graduated from SMU Law School in 1965 and returned to Sherman where he practiced law for 57 years until his retirement in 2022.  During his long career, he spent four years as the first assistant district attorney for Grayson County under the late Clifford Powell from 1969-1973, and served as a special prosecutor on multiple occasions after leaving the office.  From 1975 until 1998, he was a solo practitioner, until he was joined by his son in a law partnership that lasted 24 years.  Robert Earl was known for his ability to write "nasty-grams" to opposing counsel and for zealously representing his clients against any foe.

Robert Earl remained a lifelong Bearcat and Kangaroo fan and enjoyed attending as many games as he could with his son and grandsons.  He was an avid baseball fan and was extremely proud of living long enough to see the Texas Rangers finally win a World Series.  He spent many hours reading novels and conquering the New York Times crossword puzzle.  He could often be seen jogging the streets of downtown Sherman in any weather.  He enjoyed watching and coaching his grandsons in little league sports and attending theatre performances at Sherman Community Players.

Robert Earl was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Cheryl, and his beloved friend and legal assistant of 40 years, Martha K. Sutherland.  He is survived by his wife Kathy, his son Ed, his daughter-in-law Amanda Richardson, and his beloved grandsons Logan and Trip.  He is also survived by his step-daughters Amanda Clayton and husband Marc and Marty Alexander along with their children and grandchildren.  In addition, he is survived by his Olufs in-laws, Starling and Charles Edwards and Russell Olufs and their children and grandchildren and by his Caylor in-laws, Larry and Pat Caylor, Jerry and Jana Caylor, and Linda Casey and their children and grandchildren.  Finally, he is survived by his oldest and dearest friends Mike and Ellen Walker of Cincinnati, Ohio and David and Cindy Frank of Corpus Christi, Texas along with his five beloved goddaughters Stephanie, Rebecca, Priscilla, Julie and Jenna and their families.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Robert Earl will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 10:00am at First United Methodist Church in Sherman, Texas.  All who knew and loved Robert Earl are invited to attend.  The family would ask you to consider making small memorial gifts on Robert Earl's behalf to either the Austin College Mock Trial Program or to Sherman Community Players.