Richard L. Mewhinney

Richard Len Mewhinney, beloved Dad, Granddad, Uncle, and friend to many, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2025, surrounded by those who loved him most. In true Richard fashion, he spent his final days telling stories, entertaining everyone around him, and singing the praises of the people he cherished.

Richard was born in Temple, Texas, on January 18, 1935, to Cornelia (“Connie”) Young Mewhinney and Gene Barrett Mewhinney, Sr. He grew up in Holland, Texas and graduated from Holland High School in 1953, where he developed a lifelong love of ranching, horseback riding, hunting, and the land. He remained an accomplished cattleman well into his 80s.

Richard leaves behind an entourage of loved ones gathered over a lifetime: Daughter Mary Mewhinney Smith (Alex) of Frisco, Texas; daughter Ann Mewhinney Matous (Bruce) of Belton, Texas; stepdaughter Laurie Fondren (Leland) of Houston, Texas; grandchildren Madison Goodman (Paul Thomas), Miranda Smith (Colton Miller), Connor Smith (Calissa Fletcher), Kate Brown (Jacolby Brown), and Suzanna Richter; grandchildren Lauren Fondren (Derek Kelly), Brittany Fondren, Wren Fondren (Alana); grandchildren Madison Matous, Morgan Matous, and Matthew Matous; great-grandchildren Baer and Rafe Fondren-Kelly; honorary son Mike Cearley (Melany, Jacob and JonCaleb Cearley).

He also leaves behind a host of extended family and lifelong friends.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Connie Mewhinney; his brother, Gene Mewhinney Jr.; his first wife, Myra “Boopie” Johnson Mewhinney (1966); his second wife and mother of his daughters, Sue Ellen Stokes Mewhinney (1997); and his third wife, best friend, and partner in crime, Sandy Settegast Mewhinney (2015). Yes—he was a lucky man who knew three great loves in one great lifetime.

Richard attended the University of Texas in 1953, where he pledged Phi Delta Theta fraternity (and quickly became the social chairman and made lifelong friends), and then admittedly had “a whole lot of fun and not a lot of GPA.” He also attended Southwestern University and the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor before graduating from Baylor Law School in 1965. A few years after opening his first law office in Holland, Richard was elected a vice president and trust officer of the First National Bank in Temple. Later Richard worked and practiced law with partners/colleagues whom he greatly respected and considered to be dear friends. Overall, Richard practiced law for 60 years with a focus on real estate, probate, and estate administration, and also enjoyed work as a mediator. During his lifetime, Richard served as the president of the Darrs Creek Watershed Authority, served as President of the Holland ISD School Board, was an executive director of the Central Texas Economic Development District, and worked as legal counsel for the Elm Creek Watershed Authority for 27 years. He was a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorney for his ethical standards and professional competence. He also served as Chair of the Texas Commission for Lawyer Discipline, receiving the President’s Award in 1996, and was President of the Bell, Lampasas, and Mills Counties Bar Association. Richard was also an instrumental figure of the initial Appraisal Review Board in Bell County, Texas to hear and resolve disputes over appraisal matters between taxpayers and the appraisal district in Bell County.

In 1985, he founded CentraLand Title Company with his partner Jerry Secrest. Respected colleague Thomas Baird later joined the CentraLand ownership and the company remains a well-respected business. However, Richard has said many times that without right-hand woman and very dear friend, Linda Chaison, the company would have never been as successful as it was. The company’s enduring success remained one of his proudest professional accomplishments.

Richard married Boopie Johnson in 1958 and cherished eight years with her before her passing. In 1967, he married Sue Stokes, with whom he raised their daughters in Holland. They shared a life full of family, friends, dancing, and trips to places like Port Aransas and Mexico. After Sue’s passing, Richard reconnected with his longtime friend Sandy in 2000. Their connection was immediate, their laughter constant, and their adventures endless. They traveled the world together and spent cherished time in Holland, Utopia, and any casino with a good card table. Their love was truly one for the ages.

Richard lived a long, full, and adventurous life. Just when you thought you had heard every one of his stories, he somehow had another waiting in the wings. He was a cowboy, a gentleman, a dancer, a huntsman, a legendary storyteller, a strong-handed bartender, a widely respected attorney, and he loved the land. His wit was razor-sharp, his memory unmatched, and his toughness legendary. Richard believed in always doing the best you could with whatever you had and lived and modeled that mantra for all to see, both professionally and personally. He was honest to a fault, stubborn in all the best cowboy ways, and had a heart—and sentimental streak—the size of Texas. He loved traveling, staying up all night in casinos (even at age 90), playing 42, and riding around his ranch. His BBQ and BBQ sauce were famous enough to ruin you for anyone else’s. He had many adventures in his life all over the world, including some favorite haunts like New Orleans, which he frequented with his family, Mexico (where he had many a drink, adventures, and laughs with Mike Cearley and Ronnie Starke), the Freer Deer Lease, Port Aransas Beach with his family, and Utopia with Sandy where he loved the people and the land.

Richard was a great example of what a loving husband should be. Professionally, his colleagues and clients respected his intellect and valued his integrity. He never forgot a friend, no matter how long ago they crossed paths. Richard admired and held dear all caretakers of his ranch and his home over many years. His home was naturally central for all family gatherings, all celebrations, lively (but true) storytelling, and competitive (but fair) game playing, and still is.

Of all his accomplishments, his favorite role was Dad and Granddad. He loved his daughters immensely, including never shying away from teaching lessons that were needed or offering sweet support and a strong shoulder when needed. He lit up when talking about his children and especially his grandchildren and never missed a chance to brag about them. He was lucky enough to get to know the grandkids’ significant others and wholeheartedly welcomed them as his family. Also, luckily, all Richard’s grandkids were able to spend a lot of quality time with and hear his vast array of stories and advice, share in his wisdom, and hear his honest assessments. His family (including friends) will say some of their best memories together were spent playing 42, vacationing in Port Aransas, spending time in a blind or at a card table, or riding around his ranch soaking in the land he loved and the people he loved even more. Importantly, Richard taught us how to give, receive, understand, and respect locational directions using predominantly directional calls (go to the northeast corner of the Bobby Gray place…).

To say we will miss him is an incredible understatement. The man, the dad, the granddad, the uncle, the friend, the hero, the legend --- he was truly one of a kind. The best there ever was, and always will be.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude in Mr. Mewhinney's name. https://www.stjude.org

A Celebration of Life will transpire on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 2:00PM at Rustic Acres, 8513 Fox Road, Belton, TX.

Dossman Funeral Home in Belton, Texas is in charge of arrangements.