Richard Percy Obituary

Richard Greer Percy, 73, of Georgetown, Texas, passed away on July 23, 2025 in Round Rock, Texas. Richard was born in Midland, Texas to Calvin and Veta Watson Percy on February 10, 1952. He attended public schools in Midland. He then attended Texas Tech University where he obtained a bachelor's degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry in 1974. Afterwards he attended Texas A&M University where he earned a master's degree in Genetics in 1979 and a PhD in Genetics in 1984. Richard began working for the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Arizona in 1983. He worked on genetically improving cotton cultivars with an emphasis on improvement of heat tolerance and water use efficiency. After working in Arizona for 22 years, in 2005 Richard transferred to College Station, Texas to assume the position of Research Leader for a team of ARS researchers. Richard retired in 2016 after 33 years of satisfying work. He relocated to Georgetown, Texas in 2017. Throughout his life Richard enjoyed traveling, hiking and botanizing. Through his travels he was able to hike in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Peru, but mainly in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. After retirement Richard became a member of a local horticulture club and had the satisfaction of producing his own food. He also became a volunteer at a local food bank and enjoyed the company of several good people there. During his retirement Richard enjoyed frequent travels with his cherished companion Marianne Chmeleck, who lovingly cared for Richard through his final illnesses. Richard is preceded in death by his parents Calvin and Veta Watson Percy. He is survived by his brothers Phillip Percy and wife Susan of Spanish Fort, Alabama and David Percy and wife Julie of Wichita Falls, Texas; nieces and nephews Katherine Braver and husband Jake of Brooklyn, New York, Kristin Percy of Auburn, Maine, Sarah Percy of Boulder, Colorado, and Michael Percy and wife Elizabeth of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is also survived by many treasured Percy and Watson cousins. Interment will be private, and a Celebration of Life will be held in Georgetown, Texas at a future date.