Richard H. Chewning

Richard H. Chewning, 87, of Hollywood, passed away on August 8, 2026. A man of ambition, faith, and capability, he leaves behind a legacy defined by hard work and a deep devotion to bettering his life.

The oldest of eight children, Richard learned the value of a hard day's work early on. He was a man who knew how to build a life from the ground up—literally. Armed with determination and the help of family and friends, he purchased a piece of land and built his family’s first home with his own two hands, a rare and impressive feat by any generation's standards.

He started his career at the J&L Steel refinery in the 1960s. Yet, he knew the steel mills were not his final calling. Driven by an innate curiosity and a desire for more, he enrolled in a trades course for computer programming. That mastery of emerging technology opened doors in Florida, landing him at NASA and Pan American Airlines.

Richard’s career was a testament to the fact that grit, practical brilliance, and intelligence cannot be measured solely by a piece of paper. Though he never completed college, he secured a position with Southland Corporation (the parent company of 7-Eleven) where he ultimately held the position of Vice President overseeing their distribution centers. This career milestone eventually relocated the family to Texas, where he spent the majority of his life building a successful career.

Above all his professional achievements, Richard was a devout Catholic who lived his faith through quiet service. In his later years, he could reliably be found volunteering at St. Pius X Church in Garland, Texas, alongside his beloved wife of 66 years, Julia, meticulously cleaning and tending to the church sacristy.

Richard’s memory will be cherished by his loving wife, Julia; his daughters, Lisa Gardner (Don Reixach) and Karen Renee Chewning (Tammy Brown); his brothers, Dale Weese (Sue) and Kim Weese; and his beloved grandchildren, Adria Marina Allen and Olivia Grace Brown Chewning. He is preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Vicki Lynn Allen, who passed away from breast cancer in 2021.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests Donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF)
Website: https://www.michaeljfox.org (https://www.michaeljfox.org/)

Service Details

• Memorial Mass: Thursday, August 20th, at 11:00 a.m.
• Location: Nativity Catholic Church, 5220 Johnson Street, Hollywood.
• Reception: A gathering to celebrate Richard's life will take place at the church office immediately following the mass.