Richard Red passed away peacefully in his sleep in Fort Worth, Texas on October 29, 2008 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. 
 
Richard was born May 5, 1944 in Kilgore, Texas to Odell and Virginia Red.   He graduated from Lake Charles High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1962, thereafter proudly enlisting in the Marine Corps.  After attending the Naval Academy Prep School (NAPS) he received a Secretary of the Navy appointment to the Naval Academy.  While at the Academy, Richard excelled on the varsity football team, where he was a starting lineman for several years.   During his final Academy year he was one of the class’ two honorary keepers of Bill the Goat.   He also became the much beloved Anchorman of the Naval Academy Class of 1969. Richard continued his service career as a Marine Corps helicopter pilot serving in various assignments and locales until his honorable discharge in 1981.  

He earned his Masters Degree at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California and after returning to his much-loved Lafayette, Louisiana, became a successful petroleum Landman. In that profession he traveled extensively throughout his beloved Southeast.

He was devoted to the game of golf for its challenge, its honor and its camaraderie.  He played at least one round a week until the last weeks of his life.  On April 7, 2007, he finally beat the odds for his crowning glory shot with a hole-in-one on the 10^th hole at Lafayette Municipal Golf Course.    Richard was very active in supporting youth golf programs in both Louisiana and Texas. 
 
Richard is survived by his wife and loving caregiver, Betty; his daughters, Summer and Sharon; his brother, Edward; step-children, Khia, Tasha, Roger, Renea, Jimmy and Zeki; grandchildren, Melissa, Sarah, Rothman and Will; and the many, many friends, classmates from NAPS and both the classes of 1968 and 1969, brothers-in-arms, golf partners and all others who came to share his great love of a wonderful life and his heroic challenge against an unrelenting disease. 
 
A Memorial Service was held on November 14, 2008, at Lakeview Fellowship Church in Fort Worth, Texas.  The church service was followed by a sunset Marine Corps Honor Guard Ceremony including a scattering of ashes by boat on Eagle Mountain Lake. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Acadiana Golf Society Junior Golf Program, 1503 Renaud Dr., Scott, LA 75083