Dr. Carl Reed Richardson, age 75, passed away on June 30th, 2023 in San Marcos, TX. He was born to Ervin Roosevelt and Cretia Marie (Dodson) Richardson in Wayne County, KY on December 20th, 1947.

Reed was raised on the family farm on Spann Hill, graduating from Wayne County High School in 1966. In June of 1971, he was drafted into the United States Army. Following basic training, he was assigned to the National Guard Artillery Unit at Monticello, KY. He completed officer candidate school and served as a commissioned officer in the National Guard until 1977. Reed graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1971 with a B.S. in Agriculture and 1973 with a M.S. in Ruminant Nutrition. While attending the University of Kentucky, Reed met the love of his life, Nora Jean Fletcher. They married on December 18th, 1971, in Lexington, KY. In 1976, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a Ph.D. in Ruminant Nutrition. Following graduation, Reed and Nora moved to Lubbock, TX, for a teaching position at Texas Tech University. In Lubbock, they made a house their home and proudly raised one son.

While attending the University of Kentucky, Reed pledged FarmHouse Fraternity and continued to live by their motto of The Builder on Men throughout his life.  After moving to Lubbock, Reed was instrumental in guiding the FarmHouse club through receiving their charter at the university.  He was active in the association for many years and also served as the association president for a period of time.  Later in life he was very proud when his son joined FarmHouse Fraternity at Texas Tech University.

Dr. Richardson was a passionate educator and dedicated advisor who impacted many students along their educational journey and beyond. Dr. Richardson served as professor of Animal Science at Texas Tech University from 1976 to 2006 and Texas State University from 2006 to 2023.  During his 47-year career, Dr. Richardson directly supervised 20 Ph.D. students and over 50 Master's students. He also served on the advisory committee for nearly 70 additional graduate degree students at both universities.  He was dedicated to research and sought to improve feed utilization of cattle, swine and sheep through feed processing, source and type of feed ingredients, use of digestion and growth modifiers, and reduction in metabolic stress.

Outside of the university walls, he was known as Dad and Papa where he started each conversation started with the phrase, "hey big buddy". Many memories were made on late night trips to the all-night diner, while hauling hay or horses, racing on the dirt track, and over summer vacations.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Nora Richardson; son Kevin (Aimee) Richardson and grandson Carson Richardson of Double Oak, TX; and sister Emilee (Curtis) Southwood of Monticello, KY.

Reed was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Cretia Richardson; five brothers, Roland Richardson, Romer Richardson, Stanley Richardson, Virgil Richardson, and Lonnie Richardson; five sisters, June Barton, Lucille Kidd, Barbara Bridgeman, Ina Frost, and Estillene Cooper.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM on Tuesday, July 11th, at Hickey Funeral Home in Monticello, KY.  Graveside service to follow at Elk Spring Cemetery in Monticello, KY.