Richard Brooks Windham, age 88, of Baird, Texas, passed away Saturday, July 11, 2009, at his home. Services will be at 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 13, 2009, in the First United Methodist Church of Baird with Rev. John Westman and Arlon Baize officiating. Interment will follow in Ross Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Parker Funeral Home in Baird. A visitation with the family will be held from 6:00 until 7:30 Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Richard was born on November 18, 1920, in Oplin, Texas, to Ernest and Marie Brooks Windham. He attended Baird High School where he graduated in 1939. While in school he participated in football and track. Following graduation he attended John Tarleton College and Abilene Christian College before being drafted into the U. S. Army during World War II. Stationed in Hawaii for four years, he served as a radar expert and was a skilled sharp-shooter, being honored with numerous medals. He was also stationed in Iwo Jima and Okinawa during his service time.

He returned home from the war to marry his long-time sweetheart Marian Elizabeth Dyer. Together they had four sons, Tally, Dyer, Tom, and Billy Windham. Richard and Marian continued their families' traditions of ranching and raising registered Herefords. Richard was from an early pioneer family. His great-grandfather was Dr. J. D. Windham, the first doctor in Callahan County.

He loved to watch sports, especially those including his grandchildren. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Baird.

Richard is survived by his wife of 63 years Marian Dyer Windham of Baird; his sons Richard "Tally" Windham, Jr. and his wife Deana, Dyer Windham and his wife Kathy, and Tom Windham and his wife Jan; his grandchildren, Windy Nail, Kamie Pruet, Sarah Atkinson, Jim Dyer Windham, Jr., Bill Windham, Kerri Davis, Krystal Windham, Teri Hollis, Traci Windham, Kayla Windham; and his great-grandchildren, Cassie Burns, Kristen Burns, Kallie Pruet, Jake Green, Coleton Honea, Sam Green, Kutter Davis, Rowdy Nail, Creek Windham, Katie Windham, Kollin Davis, Wyatt Windham, Slade Windham, Wes Windham, and Ryli Hollis. He is also survived by one sister, Wanda Jo McLaughlin, and numerous nieces and nephews.