Richard Waterfield

Richard “Dick” Allen Waterfield, age 68, former Texas State Representative, rancher and cattleman, died on Monday, February 26, 2007. He was born August 24, 1939, in Canadian Texas to the late Richard Bruce and Marjorie Jones Waterfield. He graduated from Canadian High School and attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi. Dick owned and operated Waterfield Ranch in Hemphill County, was president and co-owner of Canadian Feed Yards, Inc. Dick served as president of Texas Cattle Feeders Association and served on the board of directors of the First State Bank of Canadian. He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1986 to 1990, was voted Outstanding Freshman Legislator, and remained active in politics until his death. Furthermore, Dick served as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and established the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority. After completing his term in the legislature, he was active in the Austin business community, owning Waterworks Productions and Waterfield and Associates, Inc. In addition to being a cattleman, Dick was an avid thoroughbred horse racing enthusiast, co-owning Longfield Farm in Goshen, Kentucky and owning several very successful horses including 1986 Kentucky Derby contender, Bachelor Beau. Dick was a member of Riverbend Church and was an active member with a local Bible study group. Dick is survived by his wife, Brenda, his son R. Bruce Waterfield, and his partner, Robert D. Raab and his daughter R. Gwyn Waterfield, all of Austin. He is also survived by one brother and his wife, Jim B. Waterfield and Sandy Waterfield of Canadian, TX. He is further survived by his first wife, Gail Lavin Waterfield, of Austin, and other relatives and many friends. Memorial services for Dick Waterfield will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, February 28th at Riverbend Church, 4214 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX., with Rev. Steve Youngdahl, officiating. Relatives and friends are welcome at the Smith Chapel at Riverbend Church Wednesday from 1:00 P.M. until the hour of service. Memorial services, under the direction of Hughs Funeral Home, will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Canadian, TX at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, March 2, 2007. A private burial will be at Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery. Dick was a passionate volunteer in the Austin community and became Austin’s 2006 Volunteer of the Year through his tireless efforts with Meals on Wheels and More. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Meals on Wheels and More at http://www.mealsonwheelsandmore.org or 3227 E. 5th Street Austin, TX 78702.