Richard Otis Counts

(March 5, 1917 ~ July 30, 1999)

Richard Otis Counts, son of Willie Davis Counts and Claudia Bell Burford, married to Shirley Sue Hartley and buried in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas.

Abilene Reporter August 1, 1999

MIDLAND - Richard O. Counts, 82, died Friday in a local hospital.

Private services will be at Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel in Abilene with burial in Elmwood Memorial Park.

Mr. Counts was born in Winters. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Shirley Sue Hartley in 1957 in Lovington, N.M. He was self-employed and had ranched in Abilene as well as owning and racing horses and being involved in the restaurant and oil business. He had taught at the Gail Business College.

Survivors include his wife of Midland; two daughters, Connie Zulaica of San Antonio and Sherrie Counts of Midland; two sons, Richard C. Counts of Okla. and David Counts of Calif.; two sisters, Connie Canter and Hazel Lawless, both of Abilene; seven grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Greater West Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer Association of Midland, P.O. box 3389, Midland, TX 79702 or any "for life" organization.