Richard Waddell

Richard Carlisle Waddell

Richard Carlisle (Dick) Waddell passed away February 5, 2017 in Midland, Texas. He had just turned 87 years of age.

After a private internment, a memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 10:00am at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Odessa, Texas.

He was born February 3, 1930 in Midland, Texas to James M. Waddell and Edith Carlisle Waddell. After Edith passed away shortly after his birth, he was reared and later adopted by his uncle and aunt, R.T. (Cotton) and Mary Lee Waddell in Odessa. He spent the summers of his youth on the Waddell Ranch in Winkler County and relished the freedom of exploring the land outside of town with many friends from other ranching families. He graduated from Odessa High in 1948 and then attended Baylor University. His time in Waco was twice interrupted by his service in the Navy during the Korean War. At Baylor he met Nell Seymour from Columbus, Texas. They were married August 7, 1953. He graduated from Baylor in 1955 with a business degree.

After returning to Odessa in 1955, the couple became active in the community. Dick was a faithful member and deacon of Belmont Baptist Church and later First Baptist Church. He generously made tapes of the Sunday School class lessons and delivered them to homebound class members for many years. He was a proud member of the Odessa Rotary Club, maintaining perfect attendance for nearly 50 years and where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was an original Board Member of the Odessa Boys Club and continued to support the Boys and Girls Clubs. He was awarded the Community Service Award for Ranching by the Heritage of Odessa Foundation, recognizing the Waddell family contribution to ranching history in the area.

His primary hobby and passion was being an early adopter of the Apple computer. He helped countless friends and non-profits set up their first personal computers and was always on-call as the Computer Wizard. And every weekday morning of his adult life began with the Coffee Table Group, a remarkable group of men.

Dick had an encyclopedic knowledge of ranching and early Odessa history and was known for his quiet and calm demeanor. It is a testament to his character that his family never heard him raise his voice.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents and adoptive parents, also his two brothers, Thomas Waddell and James Waddell, Jr., and his adoptive brother Richard Thomas Waddell, Jr.

Dick is survived by his wife, Nell Seymour Waddell, his daughter Mary Edith Waddell and her children Stuart Meisell and Evelyn Meisell (Collin Bjork); his daughter Jeanell Waddell Spearman (Gary Doyle) and her children Frazier Spearman and Melanie Spearman. He is also survived by his half sister, Lolisa Waddell Laenger and half brother William F. Waddell (Barbara), sister-in-law Dena Seymour and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Odessa, 800 E. 13th St., Odessa, TX 79761 or to the Permian Basin Rehabilitation Center, 620 N. Alleghaney, Odessa, TX 79761 or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home. To send family condolences please sign his guestbook at www.sunsetodessa.com.

Service

Funeral Service

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Thursday, February 9, 2017
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens (Private)
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762

Memorial Contributions

Boys and Girls Club
800 E. 13th St.
Odessa, TX  79761

Permian Basin Rehabilitation Center
620 N. Alleghaney Ave.
Odessa, TX  79761