Sheriff Richards
Cochran County, Texas
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Chester Gerald Richards
1st Term
Chester Gerald Richards was born April 19, 1929 in Hockley County, Texas while his parents were visiting family. The following day, April 20th, his father made him a bed in their wagon and Richards was brought back home to Lehman in a horse pulled wagon. He spent his childhood on the Masten Ranch.
He married Bertie Ruth West in 1948; four children were born to this union.
Entered office: January 01, 1973
Left office: December 31, 1981
2nd Term
Entered office: January 01, 1985
Left office: January 01, 1989
Birth: April 19, 1929 in Hockley Co., Texas
Death: October 22, 2011 in Brownfield, Texas
Burial: Morton Memorial Cemetery, Morton, Texas
Richard 's first public job was in 1942 working for S. A. Ramsey at Ramsey 's Shoe Store. Richards helped in the construction of the Lehman Gas Plant and spent several years working as a cotton ginner. In 1956 he went into business for himself, opening an irrigation pump business, which he operated until January 1, 1973, when he started as the newly elected Cochran County Sheriff. Richards held office until December 31, 1980, after which he worked at the park and cemetery until he was re-elected Cochran County Sheriff in 1985
On October 21, 1971 his wife, Bertie, passed away. He married Barbara Chesshir in 1977.
Sheriff C. G. Richards passed away at his home in Brownfield, Terry County, Texas on October 22, 2011 at the age of 82.
Source: Texas Sesquicentennial Texas' Last Frontier Cochran County 1836-1986 Volume 1. Copyright Cochran County Historical Commission; written by Chester G. Richards circa 1985. Adapted by Mary Helen McKnight 2016
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