Richard Textor Obituary

Richard Wayne Textor of Dike died at home on Sunday, June 8 at 7:30 pm in the care of family and Cedar Valley Hospice. He was born in Carroll, Iowa to Wayne Clifford and Dorothy Grace Pingrey Textor on June 21, 1934. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Jewell Golf Course on Sunday, June 29, 2025, with an open house visitation to follow until 4:00 p.m. (Golf/casual attire please.) In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will benefit the South Hamilton and Coon Rapids communities. 

He grew up in Coon Rapids playing back yard pick-up games of every sport. During his high school career, he was the first to letter in all sports offered for all four years, sang at All-State, and played baseball for the “town team.”

Because he wanted to play college baseball, he enrolled at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX where only scholarship recruits made the team. At semester he came back to Iowa and enrolled at Drake where he played four years, serving as Team Captain his senior year. He graduated in 1956, recognized as the athlete with highest grade point average. Taking night and weekend classes, Dick earned Masters and Specialist degrees at Drake.

Golf was always his focus. His mentor and playing partner was his uncle Wilson Pingrey. They could play 18 holes saying only two words, “Good shot!” Over the years he had 8 holes-in-one and mentored many young golfers.

Dick’s first teaching job was teaching science and coaching basketball and baseball at New Providence. He was given 2 baseballs, admonished not to lose them because he would not get more. He resigned and was considering another profession. On the golf course in Coon Rapids, he was recruited by Don Tracy, superintendent at Bayard, to teach and coach there. He accepted that job and stayed for 9 years, becoming a high school principal.

On April 5, 1958, he married Sandra Lewis. His career as a superintendent started at Washington, Iowa where he was assistant superintendent. Being a follower was not in his DNA, so he accepted the superintendency at Irwin, Iowa in 1967. In 1970 the family moved to South Hamilton of Jewell. It became the hometown for all four Textor children. He served as superintendent for 26 years, retiring in 1996. He was active in Jewell UCC, Lions Club, and civic activities.

Retirement began on an acreage for 9 years, led to Story City for 10 years, and to Dike in 2018 to watch the two youngest grandsons grow up.

He made the decision years ago to donate his body to Des Moines University.

Surviving are his wife Sandra, son Jeff (Jenn) of Robins and his daughters, Erica (Ken Reed) of Marion, Bailey (Ben) Harlander of Ft. Collin’s, CO; daughter Laurie of Story City and her son Jacob (Betsey) Vold, daughter Christie (Kirk) Williams; Carol Page (Norman) of Ankeny, her daughter Shannon (Chad) Hall and Tom Allgood (Shelby), both of Ankeny; son Tom (Shannon) and their sons, Wilson and Lewis of Stout. His great-grandchildren are Nicole and Richard Reed, Julia Harlander; Taylor, Maren, and Porter Vold; Grant and Kate Williams; Diesel and Leia Allgood, Marlee and Lennie Hall. Preceding him in death were his parents and his brother David.