Richard David Adair, 76, passed away on September 12, 2026, due to esophageal cancer. Richard was born in Detroit, MI on October 26, 1949, to Deroy and Vida Adair as the fourth of five children. In 1968, he attended Western Carolina University to study Industrial Technology. That fall, he met his future wife, Nancy Joan Edden, while playing ping pong at the student union with a buddy. Nancy challenged the guys to play the winner. They wed on September 17, 1970, and both graduated in 1972.

Richard was drafted into the military and chose to join the Marines, serving as a communications officer for four years. Nancy resided in Jacksonville, FL while he served in Okinawa, Japan for one year. Then he was transferred to Camp Pendleton, CA. They had two children, Andrea and Brian. When he was discharged from the Marines, they moved to Jacksonville, FL.

He worked for a restaurant that transferred the family to Texas in 1980. Once in Texas, Richard took a drafting course to refresh his skills and applied for positions at local oil and gas firms. He worked as a draftsman for Marathon Oil and later as a GIS Specialist for Hess Corporation until he retired in 2013. Over the years, he has enjoyed many hobbies such as racquetball, golf, fishing, card games, traveling and following various sports on TV.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Deroy Hartman Adair; mother, Vida Hammit Adair; older brothers, Kenneth Adair and Robin Adair and his granddaughter, Grayce Adair. He is survived by his sisters, Irene Halog of Bay City, MI and Janice Medford of Raleigh, NC; wife, Nancy Edden Adair; children, Andrea Saldana (Jesse) of Humble, TX and Brian Adair (Laury) of Rosharon, TX; grandchildren, Joshua Saldana, Easton Adair and Colbie Adair.

Visitation will be held at Katy Funeral Home, 23350 Kingsland Blvd, Katy, Texas 77494, on October 3, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at Katy Funeral Home, 23350 Kingsland Blvd, Katy, Texas 77494, on October 3, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.