Richard Lee Cookson, 69, of Katy, Texas, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016.

Lee was born in Bluffton, Ohio, on April 16, 1947. He was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Bluffton High School in 1965, where he was senior class president and a defensive back on the Pirates football team.

Lee graduated from Bowling Green State University in Ohio with a degree in history, and was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society.

He was drafted in the Army in 1970 and spent a year in Korea. He worked in the Army’s missile program and received the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding meritorious service. He and his wife, Elise, spent time stationed in El Paso, Texas, and Homestead, Fla.

He spent his career as a business owner, consultant, and specialist in the care of lawns, trees, and shrubs.

He is survived by his wife, Elise; son Brian (Barbara) Cookson of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter Sara (Jim) Walters of Austin, Texas; brother Ken (Eloise) Cookson of Columbus, Ohio; granddaughters Emma, Audrey, and Claire of Austin; granddaughter Alexandria and grandsons Cameron and Andrew of Kansas City; uncle Al Neuenschwander of Beaverdam, Ohio; and nephew John Cookson of Washington, DC.

Lee was preceded in death by father, Richard Ray Cookson, and his mother, Betty Jean (Neuenschwander) Cookson.

The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, at Schmidt Funeral Home Grand Parkway, where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. with Rev. Daniel Schramm officiating. Reception to follow.