Our beloved, Richard Atkinson, born in La Leona, TX on December 15, 1935, went to be with the Lord and his parents, Elena and Manuel Atkinson on August 13, 2012, after a long, courageous battle with kidney disease and diabetes. He was a long life farmer, hard-working and self reliant, and remained so until the end. He was not a church-going man, but he believed in and loved God and he knew heaven would be his final destination. He loved his country and his children. Richard also took great pride in his cotton fields, and loved his dog Boozer, and deer and duck hunting with his Browning shotgun. He was an avid boxing and football fan. Because he earned a reputation for building the best, and straightest wire fences, he was known as "fence-man". We will always remember the sound of his John-Deere tractor, his whistling of a tune in the morning as he got ready to work his fields, his love of Gilberto Perez's music, his wonderful sense of humor, and his laughter. He is survived by his children who will miss him dearly: Diana Lee Bryant, George Atkinson, Gloria Ann Almaguer, Manuel Atkinson, Geraldo Perez, Robert Glenn Atkinson, and David Atkinson, as well as his brothers, sisters, grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Pall bearers will be his sons and grandson Richard George Atkinson. "We can all lay him to rest knowing that the fences in heaven will be horse high, pig tight, and bull strong." Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm, at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas. A chapel service will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 10:00 am at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home. Interment will follow at La Leona Cemetery in La Tina, Texas. You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort, flowers, or sympathy cards to the family of Richard Atkinson at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.