Dennis Jay Richter, Sr.

Dennis Jay Richter, Sr., 52, of Gonzales, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2014. Dennis was born Feb. 25, 1962 in Gonzales to Hamon Ben Richter and Mable Elaine Bailey Richter.

Dennis graduated from Victoria College Police Academy in 1989. He received a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice from Tarleton State University in 1994 and received his Masters degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Tarleton State University in 1997. He started his career in Cameron as a police officer, later transitioning to the state fire marshal’s office as an arson investigator for 18 years. In 2007 Dennis joined the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office as chief deputy were he worked for seven years while continuing his work as a state arson investigator.

Dennis married Kimberly Kay “Kim” Lookabill on Feb. 11, 1995 in Gonzales. They are members of the Eastside Baptist Church.

Dennis’s interests beyond his profession were vast and exciting. He was a drummer for a band known as the ‘Velvets” until 1987 when he started his own band “Texxas” in the same year. Texxas played all over the Texas dance circuit. They played weddings and benefits and were popularly known as “Texxas, Two Steppin with Class.” 

Some of his other interests were golfing, riding his motorcycle, fishing or adventures hunting in Colorado for elk and mule deer. He enjoyed playing gospel music and was committed to his community civic and fraternal membership where he served on the board of directors of Norma’s House and proudly served as a Master Mason of the Gonzales Ancient Free and Accepted Masons Lodge # 30.           

Dennis was a good husband, loving son and doting father. He was ambitious, self-motivated and held high goals for himself and worked hard to provide for his family. He was a stubborn man, whatever he set his mind to do, he would work until he was satisfied that he had done his best. He adored his wife and sons and he had a huge heart and was a fair man. 

He bravely battled cancer, never conceding, never losing faith. His message to his sons was to stay close, love each other, always be there for one another and love your mother with all your heart. Cancer couldn’t take the life of Dennis Richter; he touched too many lives, left too many memories because he loved freely and lived passionately. Cherished memories of Dennis Richter will live on for generations. 

Dennis Richter is survived by his loving wife, Kim Richter; sons, Dennis Ray “DJ” Richter, Jr., Mason Ben Richter and Colby Allan Richter; parents, Hamon Ben and Mable Elaine Richter; grandson, Rhett Jay Richter, all of Gonzales; sister-in-laws, Kelli Stewart of Gonzales, Tammy Oliver of Goliad and Tara Cook of New Braunfels; brother-in-laws, Brian Lookabill of Fairfield and Jeff Lookabill of Gonzales and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Ben Richter.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2014 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Rev. Hollas Hoffman officiating. Interment will follow in Gonzales Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Bobby O’Neal, Shane Roberts, Floyd Toliver, Harry Bowers, Ray Copeland and John Chenault. Honorary Pallbearers are the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office, Gonzales Fire Department and Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday evening. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.