It is with great sorrow and a heavy heart that I must share the sad news of the passing of our wonderful Richard aka the Sweetieman. I also feel the need to apologize for taking so long to write this post. It took me some time to get his affairs in order and gather my thoughts around publishing this news. This picture was taken late one evening after dinner as we relaxed on the patio scrolling through the countless cooking and pouring shots. It was one of his favorite ways to wind down after dinner and reflect on the next post. Richard loved the blog and the people he met through it. He loved sharing stories and his love of good food. As this blog grew so did the friendships and the stories of new friends and new ideas. He is missed every minute of everyday by us and so we would like to share his obituary with you.
Obituary
Richard Emory McGary, loving husband and devoted father, noted litigation and products liability attorney, chef and food blogger passed away Friday, October 9, 2015 at age 61 at his home in Richardson, Texas.
Richard will always be remembered for his kindness and loving friendship to his friends and as the lawyer in the cowboy hat to his clients. He was always up beat and met each day with a smile on his face. Clients, colleagues and peers described Richard as a “lawyer’s lawyer—-someone you could trust and know that he would always be prepared, fight the fair fight, and give it hell, all the time. His quality of work was the gold standard. He was a great example of what young lawyers should aspire to be.” Richard described himself as a lawyer by day and chef by night, as he loved the law and all things culinary. He spent over 25 years handling complex litigation and as National Counsel for several major manufacturers of consumer electronics products managing product liability litigation as well as advising them on issues of product liability, consumer product safety, and risk management issues directed towards reducing exposure to product liability, warranty and other product related claims. Richard also successfully presented his clients’ cases before the Texas Supreme Court on two occasions.
Richard had boundless energy to juggle work, play, and family. He had many passions, all of them pursued with unflagging enthusiasm, gusto, and joy. He was an avid fly fisherman and even tied his own flies. He was a knowledgeable wine connoisseur, with an extensive wine cellar to show for it. He loved art and collected it. He loved antiques but was most partial to family heirlooms.
Richard was also a gourmet cook having cooked professionally and run restaurants in his early adult years prior to law school. He started as a fry cook, a line cook, a saucier, etc., then doing a stint in culinary school, running kitchens and managing restaurants. He then made his way to law school, passed the bar and began practicing law in 1985. In recent years, he began blogging about food on his cooking blog, REMCooks. com. He and his blog were honored with various awards and acknowledgments from his fellow bloggers and was also featured by Richardson Living magazine in their May/June 2015 edition. http://richardsonliving.com/features-taste-buds/love-culinary. In his blog, he explains how his blog evolved and took on a life of its own. It was a real joy that allowed him to meet many new people from all over the world who love food, cooking, good times and sharing knowledge as much as he did. He always felt fortunate, thankful and honored that people recognized his photos, recipes and work.
Richard was born in Madison, Wisconsin, the son of Mary Joanne Miller McGary and Lester Eugene McGary Jr. MD. He attended Corsicana schools until 1967 when he then began attending St. Mark’s School of Texas, in Dallas. He would later return to Corsicana High School graduating in 1972. While at Corsicana High School, Richard actively participated in choir, gymnastics, baseball and football.
Richard continued on attended The University of Texas at Arlington receiving a BA in Political Science in 1982 and Texas Tech University School of Law where he graduated cum laude in 1984. He was on the Texas Tech Law Review and was admitted to the Texas bar on May 1985; United States District Court for the Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts in the State of Texas; United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and admitted pro hac vice in Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Utah.
Richard is survived by his loving wife, Elia Hernandez McGary (aka the Baby Lady) of Richardson, TX and their five children; his father Lester Eugene McGary, MD. of Corsicana, TX; Lester Eugene McGary III, (and Donna Briggs McGary) of Charlotte, NC; and John Edward McGary (and Gladys Bel McGary) of Houston, TX. Richard was predeceased by his mother, Mary Joanne McGary.
A memorial service was held on Monday, February 29, 2016 at Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. Eulogy by Teresa Burroff, John Anderson and Charlene Koonce. The family requested donations be made to the Heart Association in lieu of sending flowers.
What’s next?
As we look forward, Daniel (Knothead), Robert (Quickstep) and I (Baby Lady) will be publishing four recipes that Richard left as drafts. Daniel is adding a new section for cocktails which he is excited about sharing. I will continue to share the recipes Richard and I cooked and those I think he would enjoy sharing. Robert will be serving as photographer. We hope to continue to share his passion for good food with you.
REMCooks 
Oh Baby Lady, what a lovely and very timely post! Richard is still missed very much and mentioned often in blogs and comments on blogs. Just last night I was culling my list of blogs I followed listed on my page, and got to REMCooks and just could NOT delete it, as I still use it for referencing recipes and that many others should deserve the chance to read his culinary (and photo-taking) finesse. I am quite excited about the publishing of Richard’s unseen recipes, and the expansion of a cocktail section. You and your family are still in my thoughts. ❤
Thanks Kathryn! We will try our best to keep things interesting.
Thanks for sharing this….such a tragic loss.
Donald R. (“Don”) Dowling
Houston, TX – Atlanta, GA
* Cell-Text: 404.229.5441
Dondowling1@att.net
I smile and think of Richard every time my ceramic hen, hiding on a shelf in my ‘blog room’ catches my eye. We had such fun across the world. He is and will continue to be missed.
Thanks Conor! Heddy has been a wonderful addition to our kitchen. The stories and packages were such fun for all of us. We hope to keep things interesting with the next generation taking the lead.
A worthy endeavour that will grow in reward. Keep at it.
My best,
Conor
Dear Elia, Daniel and Robert, it is great news that you are going to continue with the blog. Richard has a special place in my heart and I remember and miss him often, especially every time i cook anything that has chiles in it 🙂 It was a great privilege to have known and met Richard, and he has had a thorough influence on my cooking. I am looking forward to the new stuff that you are going to post. Let me know if you need any help with that.
Thank you Stefan! I would not have been able to post this notice without your help. You have been so wonderful during this difficult time. We are all looking forward to the new post from Daniel.
A wonderful tribute to your husband, which I read with sadness… so sorry to hear of his loss and at such a young age. Glad you have the support of a loving family and so many happy memories. I’ll certainly never forget his pineapple soup recipe, which I tried and messed so badly the first time (now a favorite!). Looking forward to new posts from you and your family, Elia.
Thanks Vinny! I hope you enjoy our additions as well.
My mouth dropped wide open with an “oh no” and sad face. I learned so much from your husband! I am so sorry for your loss and really appreciate your lovely tribute! I remember the first time I came upon his blog and told my husband about “the lawyer who was also a chef” and I was going to cook my way through his blog because his recipes were amazing. His roasted cauliflower is a staple at our family meals! We make the savory sopapilla’s at Christmas (with your refried bean recipe, and no I don’t open the lid). I knew him through his blog and his cooking, and realize in reading your post there was so much more to REM and he was a great man. I have often wondered why he didn’t write any more and have missed him. I will look forward to your posts Elia. Thank You for posting and sharing your heart!
Thanks Linda! This was a difficult post to add. I hope you enjoy the new additions.
Condolences to you and yours. He will be missed.
Thank you.
So sorry for your loss, your husband’s blog was (and still is) a great reference for me !
Thank you Sylvie.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Richard showed so many of us kindness and support. He was so encouraging when I started blogging, it really meant a lot. I was surprised how hard the news of his passing was but it really is because of his generosity and his ability to connect with people. I think we all look forward to your continued posts and I have no doubt Richard would be pleased no end to know you are doing this. What a wonderful way to honour him.
Thanks Virginia! We are looking forward to new posts and new friends.
When I met Richard and you when I visited that one time, I could see the strong bond and love you both had for each other, This has been so unfair to you and those boys as well. BTW Daniel is the spitting image of his father in one of the above photos! I never noticed that before, but maybe it was the red hair he once wore! Sounds like the three of you have a wonderful and meaningful project planned together by continuing the blog. I’m excited to see it evolve! Perhaps it will bring you some happiness.
Thanks Mimi! We are looking forward to trying and adding new things.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Baby Lady. I will miss Richard’s enthusiasm, talents, culinary expertise and sense of humor that were always so evident in his many posts. All of his/your recipes that I have tried to date have been stellar in flavor. I always looked forward to what he was creating in the kitchen next. He will be greatly missed by myself and the cooking and blogging world. Peggy down in Temple, TX (of Buttoni’s Low-Carb Recipes blog)
Thanks Peggy! We are hoping to add a few more low carb and gluten free recipes to the blog as well.
Then I will most certainly stay tuned by continuing to “follow” your site. I know a good cook when I see one. 🙂
This was one of my favourite blogs that I loved visiting from time to time. I am terribly sorry to hear that Richard passed away. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
I had bookmarked the recipe “Coffee Rub Steak” and was thinking of making it sometime next week, so I decided to visit the blog to see the photos one more time before I buy the ingredients.
I am terribly shocked and sorry. I never got to meet him, but I always admired his enthusiasm in cooking. I also admired all the food that he cooked and the way he called you “Baby Lady”. I am so sorry that you lost your dear husband and friend. I hope you’re all coping. I wish you all the best in the future.
Oh how sad Baby Lady. I was not aware that Richard passed away until today. I wondered from time to time whether he was very busy with his legal work and unable to blog. So sorry, he seemed such a special person and it was very evident just by reading his blog how very much he cared for you and the family. I wish you well, may you keep strong in spirit, happy and healthy x
Thank you so much for your kind words. We miss him dearly.