Richard Tex McConathy, age 71 of Weatherford, Texas, was born May 11, 1944, in Dallas at Baylor Hospital to Jack and Mildred Ruth Waldie McConathy, Sr., of  Dallas. He passed away on Friday, November 27, 2015, at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.  

Richard, known as “Ricky” in his childhood years, had one older brother, Lt. Col Jack McConathy, Jr. and two sisters, Margie and Marianne McConathy. His formative years were infused with the values of First Baptist Church of Dallas where he was baptized by Dr. W. A. Criswell in his early life and grew up surrounded by a large, loving, fun-filled family with grandparents, cousins, school friends, food and laughter. Young Ricky was a gifted athlete involved in baseball, golf and football. Later in life, he became an avid golfer and fisherman in addition to his love for music, musical theatre and playing the piano. In the 80s, he was twice “Club Champion” at the Dallas Athletic Club. He attended Harold Budd Elementary School, Boude Storey Jr. High, and was a 1962 graduate of W. H. Adamson High School. He received a full football scholarship while he was in high school to Arlington State College in Arlington, Texas, and graduated in 1968 with a BBA degree in Business and Economics.

In September of 1968, he volunteered in the United States Army where he served in Viet Nam. During his time in Viet Nam, he was wounded in battle and fought during the most heated time of the war known as the TET Offensive in 1969. In September of 1970, he received his honorable discharge at the rank of Sergeant. 

His War Decorations and Awards include:                                                                              Bronze Star Medal, 2 Purple Hearts, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, National Defense Service Medal, Expert (M-16) Badge with Auto Rifle Bar, Sharpshooter (M-14 rifle) Badge with Rifle Bar

In 1972, he opened Texas Bonding Company in Dallas, Texas, where he was the President of the Dallas Bail Bond Association. He began to study law under the mentorship of his uncle, Judge Ronald Waldie, and his attorney father-in-law, Charles Milor, and qualified to take the Texas State Bar examine in 1975. On May 20, 1976, he became a licensed lawyer in the State of Texas. He was the last person in the State of Texas who was allowed to take the bar examine without graduating from law school. From that time on, he became professionally known as Tex McConathy. In 1982, he became a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. Later he and his son, Richard Charles, became partners in McConathy & McConathy Attorneys at Law in Dallas, Texas. From 2004 – 2007, he served as Chair of the Criminal Law Section of the Dallas Bar Association. He retired and moved to Lake Weatherford, Texas, in 2010.
He is survived by his three sons: Lance & Lanie Thayer, Richard and April McConathy, and Matthew McConathy; Grandchildren: Kate, Maddi, Abigayl and Caroline Thayer; Max and Jackson McConathy;  Sisters: Margie McConathy, Rev. Billy & Marianne McConathy-Allen; Nieces and Nephews:  Donna McConathy, Karen McConathy-Kenter, Kenny and Rachel McConathy, Billy and Leigh Gettman-Allen, Jaysun Allen; Great nieces and nephew: Nicholas Phillips, Madison McConathy, Cassidy McConathy, Kenzington McConathy, Kolton McConathy; Aunt: Vi Waldie, many first and second cousins.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents: Samuel and Emily McConathy, Walter and Rosie Waldie; parents: Jack and Ruth McConathy, brother; Lt. Col Jack McConathy, sister-in-law Marilyn McConathy-Lee.
