Burl Ray Richardson

Memorial services for Burl Ray Richardson, 87, of Lufkin will be held Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Walker McWilliams officiating. The family will welcome friends and loved ones at 2:00 p.m. and a reception will follow in the Carroway Family Reception Room. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Burl passed away at home peacefully on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Burl was born on May 15, 1939, in Clawson, Texas to Leonard and Mable Berry Richardson. He lived a vibrant life defined by his profound love for God, his family, his country, University of Texas Longhorns, and service to others. A man of exceptional intelligence and drive, Burl was the valedictorian of his graduating class in 1957 at Central High School, where he had petitioned the school board to include higher level math curriculum. He went on to attend the University of Texas, graduating with a degree in Architectural Engineering in 1962 and continued on with Master’s study in Structural Engineering. He could proudly claim that he was one of only 11 engineers who could be identified as architects and engineers. Drawn back to his roots in East Texas, he initially joined his father’s building business, L. Richardson & Sons Construction Company, and obtained his Professional Engineering license in 1967. He worked for Lufkin Prestressed Concrete for 10 years and his skills were noticed by Arthur Temple who invited him to work at Temple Associates where he was Chief Engineer.

He worked on many projects in various states and increased his skills continuously with concrete and steel construction and enjoyed attending TSPE conferences. He had hundreds of projects in the area including the Temple building in Diboll, TxDOT bridges and overpasses on highways and Loop 287, courthouses, jails and school construction in various counties, homes and foundations, the community center for Alabama Coushatta tribe and the Heart Center. He particularly enjoyed modern design style. He was a highly esteemed engineer and developed many working relationships and was requested to consult on difficult projects around the country. He was recognized by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers for outstanding service to the state of Texas for over 50 years as a Professional Engineer in 2018. He founded and served as President of ARF Engineering Inc., where he retired in 2022. His structural designs left a lasting mark across the nation. An achievement he was very proud of was his collaboration on the building of the Angelina County EXPO Center; when constructed, it stood as the largest pre-engineered clear-span building in the United States and the third largest in the world.

On November 26, 1960, Burl married the love of his life, Lois Hardy. Over their 65 years of marriage, they built a beautiful family rooted in faith and devotion. Burl was known to all as an incredibly charismatic man—a captivating storyteller who always had a good tale to share and a gift for making others laugh. He was a passionate outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and anything outdoorsy. He really loved to live off the land. He enjoyed spending time at the clubhouse at Eason Lake, golfing, and served on the Redland Water Board. Burl dedicated his time to supporting his children’s activities including serving in Scouts, Dixie League baseball, Band Boosters, 4H, FFA, and the Civil Air Patrol. He was known to help other students that were not his own. He was a lifelong champion for Boy Scouts of America. Long after his son had aged out of the program, Burl continued his dedicated service as the Scoutmaster of Troop 136. He accompanied his troop on high adventure trips to Canada’s Northern Tier, Philmont in New Mexico, Big Bend and to Pirtle Scout Reservation. His extraordinary commitment to mentoring youth earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Wood Badge Training and leadership, the Order of the Arrow Ordeal and Brotherhood, received the District Award of Merit, and the Silver Beaver Award. He was also a dedicated member of the Noon Lions Club of Lufkin. Burl's deep faith was the cornerstone of his daily life. He was a devoted member of Lufkin’s First Baptist Church for 60 years, where he served as a Deacon, lent his engineering expertise to the building committee, and guided others in their faith by teaching Adult 3 Men’s Sunday school class for nearly 35 years with his best friends. All his life, he set an unwavering example of Christian love and service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Mable Richardson; his brothers, Clayton, Kenneth, and Delbert Richardson, and his sister, Dorothy Jean Brown.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Lois Richardson; his four children and their spouses, Carmen and Virgil Strange, Richard and Cindy Richardson, SueAnn and Rusty Brockett, Celena and Brandon Crawford, son-in-law Jay Carradine, and daughter-in-law Vonda Kinney. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Katrina Carradine, Candice and Kyle Kelcourse, Ashley and Jason Harrison, Rachel and Pierce Kirkland, Landry and A.J. Stella, Carter Crawford, Christianna Brockett, Laurel and Ryan Jewert, Nathan and Franchesca Fuentes-Brockett, Hannah Brockett, Aaron and Natasha Brockett, Haley Brockett and husband Andrew Pleban, Jessica Brockett, Faith Brockett, Benjamin Brockett, Allison Brockett, Lydia Crawford, and Colt Crawford. His legacy continues through his beloved great-grandchildren, Aiden and Brody Kelcourse, Eva and Silas Harrison, Claire and Emma Jewert, and Wesley and Aurora Brockett.

"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good." — Psalm 25: 4-7 (The Message)

Honorary pallbearers will be Burl’s family, scouts, Adult 3 Men’s Sunday school class, First Baptist deacons, his small group Bible study, and all of Burl’s friends too numerous to mention. There was a very long list, it was getting out of hand.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Burl’s honor to the Lufkin Chapter Texas Exes Scholarship Fund, the Winnie Berry Humane Society of Angelina County, Scouting America Troop 136 of Lufkin, Texas, or Lufkin's First Baptist Church Building fund.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.