Richard Anthony Podzemny

Richard “Pod” Podzemny, 74, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away on December 2, 2025. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive, Amarillo, Texas 79109, with Jody Meason officiating.

Richard was born on August 22, 1951 in Canyon, Texas to Edgar and Dorothy Podzemny. He graduated from Canyon High School in 1970. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in business from West Texas A&M University, which supported a long and dedicated career in the Oil & Gas Industry, including 27 years with Diamond Shamrock before his retirement in 2019.

In December of 1986, Richard married Lea Townsend in Amarillo, and together they built a life centered on love, faith, and steadfast relationships.

Richard was a lifelong sports enthusiast. He enjoyed golf, basketball, and football, and was a devoted fan of both the University of Texas Longhorns and Canadian High School Football. For many years, he proudly filmed Canadian Wildcat football games, a role he loved and took great pride in.

Known for his reliability, kindness, and servant’s heart, Richard was the kind of man people could always count on. Whether a neighbor needed help or a loved one needed support, he showed up without hesitation. He lived by the words, “Life is about relationships - first with the Lord, then with each other,” and he embodied that belief every day through his generosity and care.

Richard is survived by his wife, Lea Podzemny, of the home; his daughter, Mandi Guffey of Amarillo; his grandson, Rocco Velasquez of Amarillo; his brother, Mike Podzemny and wife Carmen of Odessa, sister-in-law, Teresa Podzemny of Amarillo, numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends who cherished him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Dorothy Podzemny, and his older brother, Edgar Podzemny Jr.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Christians United for Israel (CUFI) at https://secure.cufi.org/donate2025 or if you wish to donate local, please donate to ETHAN Project of Texas at www.ethanproject.org