Gregory V. Rich

Gregory V. Rich — Greg, to the family and friends who loved him — passed away unexpectedly at his home in New Waverly, Texas on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. He was 68 years old. Greg was born on October 25, 1957, in Elwood, Indiana, to Jerry Dewayne Rich and Laura Frances (Tobias) Rich. He grew up in Indiana as the oldest of three brothers, the kind of boys who were always getting into something and laughing their way out of it. In 1980 he made the long drive south to Texas, a move that would shape the entire family’s life. Texas became home, and he never looked back. Greg was a carpenter, and not just by trade — by gift. There wasn't much in wood he couldn't do. From rough framing a house to the patient, precise work of finish trim and cabinetry, from a sturdy bookcase to a piece of furniture meant to last generations, Greg's hands knew the work. He had a particular love for custom and restoration projects, the kind that asked him to bring something back to life or build something no one else could. Anyone who watched him work knew it wasn't just a job. It was the way he thought, the way he problem-solved, the way he showed care. The things he built will outlast all of us, and that is its own kind of legacy. If Greg loved you, you knew it — usually because he was giving you a hard time about something. Teasing was his love language. Underneath all of it was one of the kindest, most generous hearts you could ever hope to know. He would, without a second thought, give you the shirt off his back. That was just who he was. He was an uncle in the very best sense of the word — the kind his nieces and nephews flat-out adored. They will carry that with them for the rest of their lives. Greg also found a whole second family in an unexpected place — World of Warcraft. For years, he logged on to run dungeons, raid alongside his guildmates, and trade jokes late into the night with friends he'd come to know as well as anyone in his life. The miles between them didn't matter. They were his community, his crew, and they will feel his absence keenly. To everyone who rode alongside him in Azeroth: thank you for being family to our Greg. And then there was the motorcycle. Greg loved that bike. Greg is survived by his mother, Laura Frances Rich, of New Waverly, Texas, his two brothers, Steve and Jeff; and the many nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Greg. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Dewayne Rich, his aunt, Verlana Jones, and his cousins, Bruce Simmons, Phil Simmons and Terry Simmons. A celebration of life will be held at 6390 FM 1374 New Waverly, TX 7358 on Saturday May 23, 2026, at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the family to help cover the cost of unexpected funeral expenses. Ride easy, Greg. You were loved more than you knew.

Gregory V. Rich

October 25, 1957 - May 12, 2026