Mr. Richard Luquette

October 26, 1936 - January 25, 2019

MONTEZUMA, GA - Richard James Luquette, age 82, was born in Port Arthur, Texas on October 26, 1936 to Sulie Victor Luquette and Rena Dominguez Luquette. He passed away, Friday, January 25, 2019 in Montezuma, Georgia. A private graveside service will be held Sunday, February 10, 2019 in Ideal City Cemetery in Ideal, Georgia. Richard, who his friends called “Dicky”, graduated from Orange Stark High School in 1954 and from Lamar College in 1962. He married Madge Elisabeth Channing on February 6, 1960. Madge and Richard raised three daughters, Victoria, Elisabeth, and Katherine. The family enjoyed living in small towns as Richard pursed a career teaching history and coaching track and field and football in various public schools throughout southeastern Texas. He ended his teaching career at Alvin High School in 1978. His dedication to the student athletes he coached was evident in the many hours he spend with them and the many miles he drove them so they could compete at the highest level. Their devotion to him was evidenced by the fact that many of them traveled with him repeatedly, even though driving wasn’t his best skill. Coaching opened doors for Richard. In the role of Coach Luquette, he coached an Olympian who set many records over his career. Coaching also afforded Richard the opportunity to take athletes to international competitions, including track meets in London, Paris, and behind the Iron Curtain. In 1978, Richard used his parents’ passing to make a career change. He left teaching and went to work at Continental Savings and Loan. He explained that being a community lender let him learn what a good lending risk looked like, so that when he left banking and went into real estate development, he had a good perspective on creating fundable projects. Richard married Tammy Renee Welch on February 3, 1987. Tammy and Richard moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he pursued various business interests. In his last years, Richard suffered from poor health, but his friend and colleague Slava Zavulunov cared for him and made sure he was well taken care of. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Slava and to the staff of the Montezuma Health and Rehab. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Cherry and Rena and by his granddaughter, Erin Channing Buenger. He is survived by his first wife, Madge and their daughters and their families, Vickie and Walter Buenger and grandson, Davis, Elisabeth Luquette, granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Annabelle and Paul Meckley, and great-granddaughter, Ava, and Kat Luquette and granddaughter, Emma. He is also survived by his cousin, Don West. Watson-Mathews Funeral Home in Montezuma, Georgia was entrusted with arrangements for Mr. Richard James Luquette.