Richard Durwood McBride

Richard Durwood McBride, 72, passed away November 23, 2006. He was born August 18, 1934, in Natchitoches, LA, son of Bonnie Lee Breedlove McBride and Thomas Jewel (TJ) McBride. He is survived by his wife Margaret McBride; daughter, Alison McBride Butler, her husband Mark, and grandchildren Andrea and Jake Butler, Texarkana, TX; son, Patrick McBride, Manchester, England; daughter, Kathleen McBride, Osaka, Japan; son, Ryan McBride, Belfast, Northern Ireland; step-daughter, Andreana, her husband Stephan Patsch, and her children Joshua Reiner and Chloe Patsch, Sugar Land, TX; step-son, John Paulding, and his wife, Rachel E. Paulding, Leavenworth, KS; his sister, Mary Louise Richeal, San Rafael, CA; niece, Cathy Richeal Stone, husband Mike, Navato, CA, nephews, Jonathan, Christopher, and Matthew Stone, and niece Hailey Stone; niece, Kelly Richeal, Fort Bragg, CA; sister-in-law, Joy Watts McBride, Natchitoches, LA, nephews, Richard, Tommy, and Wayne McBride and niece Deborah McBride; Brother-in-law, Ben George Crocker, Arlington, TX and nephews Ben Rush and Steve Crocker; and numerous cousins and extended family. Richard Durwood was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Richard Durwood McBride, Jr., brother, Arthur Noel McBride, and sister, Oma Lea McBride Crocker. Richard completed his education from first grade through his undergraduate degree all on the campus of Northwestern State University in his beloved hometown of Natchitoches, LA. He also enjoyed graduate work at UT-Arlington, TX. He worked as a chemical engineer for Betz Chemical, Champion Chemical, and retired from Petrolite Corporation. Following retirement, he founded Corrosion Monitoring, Inc. working for another five years as a consultant and contractor on special projects. Over the course of his career, Richard Durwood lived or worked in more than 60 countries and was awarded three U.S. Patents. He was also an accomplished single engine plane pilot with over 5000 flying hours, the most enjoyable of which were spent in pontoon/float planes. Richard was a devoted member of Sugar Creek Baptist Church, Sugar Land, TX, and later First Baptist Church, Natchitoches, LA. For a number of years he funded college scholarships for Natchitoches high school graduates as a memorial to his son, Richard Durwood McBride, Jr. His great sense of humor and stories of his adventurous work life and travels will be missed by family and friends. Visitation will be held at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home, Natchitoches, LA, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, November 27, 2006. The memorial service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 28, 2006, also at the funeral home. Interment will be at Oak Grove Methodist Cemetery in Natchitoches. The family will receive friends and loved-ones at the home at 5050 Highway 3278, Natchitoches, following services. Special appreciation from the family is extended to the staff of West Oaks Rehabilitation and Healthcare for their compassionate service and loving care. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 2242 W. Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, or Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030.