Richard was born in Dallas, Texas on February 4, 1977 to Jill and Philip Barbee. He grew up in Richardson, attended RISD schools and graduated from Richardson High School. He attended the University of North Texas, graduating in 2003 with a degree in English and a minor in philosophy. In 2004 he married Michelle and they built a life and a family in Richardson and in 2018 moved to his family home outside of Honey Grove.

A lifelong reader and writer of poetry, Richard enjoyed all forms of media and technology. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of film, video games, Dungeons and Dragons, and the entire Star Wars franchise. Though long retired from the Dallas punk rock scene, he enjoyed attending many concerts, musicals and plays. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and relished living in the country.

Though a confirmed homebody, Richard did enjoy traveling, both within the United States and abroad. Sites of historical significance, such as Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, the site of Thoreau’s cabin at Walden Pond, and the standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar were favorites. He loved the quiet beauty of the River Isis in Oxford, Loch Stenness in Orkney or simply crossing the North Sea at night.

Teaching Literature was more than Richard’s passion. It was the key to understanding human intellect and emotion. It gave universal answers to eternal questions and showed that everyone, everywhere, throughout humanity’s history, has wrestled with the same conflicts.

He believed that writing developed the intellect through critical thinking. He continually pushed his students to test their abilities and become the strongest writers they could be. Many current and former students and coworkers can attest to his lofty expectations, but also his quick humor. He accepted no excuses, but encouraged hard work, creative thinking, and self-reflection. His motto, borrowed from Tennyson, was...

“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

Richard is survived by his wife Michelle, daughter Evangeline “Theo”, and his sister Brandy Sanders (Jim) of Allen, TX, his niece Brittney Sanders of Lubbock, TX and his nephew Braeden Sanders of Addison, TX.  Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Philip R. and Jill Barbee, his grandparents, Mary Jo and Philip W. Barbee, and William “Jack” and Betty Drake, and his aunt Suzanne MacKenzie and uncle Robert Barbee.

A memorial will be held at Bonham High School, Wednesday, April 23 at 5:00 p.m.

You may sign the online guest book at www.coopersorrells.com