Clell (Speedy) Richards

Clell M (Speedy) Richards, lifelong horseman, passed away on November 27, 2020 in Abilene, Texas, from injuries incurred doing what he loved – being with his horses. Visitation will be Thursday, December 3, 2020 from 5:00 – 6:60 PM at the Adams-Foster-Ray Funeral Home Chapel in Hamlin. A private family celebration will take place on Friday, December 4, 2020.

Speedy’s love affair with horses began when he was a child in Navasota, Texas.  That love continued up to his death. He was a long-time member of the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), a regional director and an NCHA judge.  He trained and showed horses for years in many disciplines (cutting, reining, western pleasure, halter and barrel racing).  And his passion led him to breed and raise quarter horses.  He was proud to be recognized by the American Quarter Horse Association as a 40-year breeder in 2017.

He spent 3 years in the US Army, stationed in Panama, during the Cuban Revolution.  He seldom talked about that experience, but it was part of what made him the man he was.

Speedy is survived by his wife of 22 years, Eleanor (Ellie) Richards; and his children, Layne Thompson and Rene Richards of Texas, Greg Richards of New Jersey and Laurie Strong of Colorado; and his younger sister, Diann Anderson of Texas.

Over the years, Speedy met and was loved and admired by many people across America.  He was proud to mentor young men and women to become fine horsemen and horsewomen – among others, Jeff Gassen of Florida, whom he raised from a teenager.

His family and many friends and admirers will miss him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the NCHA Foundation:
NCHA Foundation Donation  https://bit.ly/.NCHAFoundation Donation