MICHAEL RICHMOND
05/04/1948 - 12/05/2022
Michael Howard Richmond, 74, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home on December 5, 2022, after an eight-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Michael
was known as a visionary, a mentor, and a community leader by all who knew and loved him.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Michael started
working at the age of 11 as a caddie at Baltimore’s Suburban Country Club carrying golf bags that weighed more than him. He continued to develop his unparalleled work ethic during his college years getting up at 3:00AM to work in a bagel bakery.
After working his way through college at the University of Maryland, where he earned a degree in accounting, Michael, a Certified Public Accountant, began his career working for the firm Coopers & Lybrand. In 1972, George Mitchell recruited Michael to work for Mitchell Real Estate, which would go on to develop The Woodlands making him one of the first 100 residents of The Woodlands, Texas. Thus began Michael’s impactful relationship with The Woodlands. Michael quickly moved up the ranks and by November 1998 he was named CEO of what was then called The Woodlands Operating Company. Without Michael’s leadership and vision, The Woodlands we know and love would not look like it does today. After 30 years of service to The Woodlands, Michael retired on September 18, 2002.
It wasn’t long until Michael flunked retirement and joined Woodforest National Bank as its Director and Vice Chairman. Michael was instrumental in helping grow Woodforest National Bank into a leading financial services provider in The Woodlands and across the country. Michael retired for good in 2016.
After retirement, Michael continued to give to his community by serving on the boards of numerous civic, corporate, and service organizations. Ultimately, The Woodlands honored Michael’s contribution to the community by naming him one of its Hometown Heroes and awarding him a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Legacy Award. Michael had the gift for mentoring and a heart for giving. Under his tutelage, countless individuals’ lives have been changed forever, and the impact of his influence ripples across the community far and wide.
Impressive though they were, Michael’s professional successes paled in comparison to the joy he experienced spending time with his large and loving family on vacations, during holidays, and at sporting events. Michael loved taking his family, including kids and grandkids, on amazing vacations to everywhere from the mountains to the beach. He loved watching his grandkids learn to ski or play sports, and he reveled in seeing the look on their faces as they saw their favorite sports teams up close and personal. Michael’s family succeeded in converting him into a passionate fan of the Baylor Bears.
Michael loved to play golf and travel to many spectacular places with lifelong friends. Time spent with these friends were some of his greatest memories and the source of much laughter.
Michael is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Vicki Calvert Richmond, his children, Kara Richmond, Zach (Rachel) Richmond, Zach Armstrong, Kallie (Ben) Miller, his grandchildren, Luke Richmond, David Thompson, Cailan Armstrong, Camden Armstrong, Jake Miller, and Owen Miller. He is also survived by his sister, Gloria Richmond. Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Emanuel Richmond and Sylvia Salawitch Richmond.
The Richmond family wishes to thank Patricia, Kristy, Adelaide, and Risper for their tireless and compassionate care of Michael.
Visitation for friends and family will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at Forest Park - The Woodlands from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. Services will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, December 12, 2022, in the Sanctuary at The Woodlands Methodist Church, with a reception to follow at the church.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions may do so to Interfaith of The Woodlands or the Duncan Neurological Research Institute.