James “Jim” Earl Richardson of McKinney, Texas passed away on July 15, 2021 at the age of 75. Jim was born on June 22, 1946 to Warren William Richardson and Jewel Ruth (Ashen) Richardson in Houston, Texas. He attended school in Buna, Texas where in the 1st grade, he first met his future wife, JoAnn Anderson. They became high school sweethearts that extended to best friends for life. Jim was a high achiever and hard worker as marked by being his class's student body president and playing basketball as a State Basketball Champion. His athleticism allowed him to continue to play college ball on a full scholarship. We still speak of his quickness and ability to jump. After completing his bachelor's degree, Jim received the call from Uncle Sam to serve our country. This is a call that he did not take lightly and carried on until the day he died. He proceeded to fly in the F4 as a Weapons System Officer in Air Force. He served in the Black Sheep Squadron in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. This included, being a River Rat having flown over North Vietnam in combat. After his 5 active service years, he pursued a career in hospital administration, as well as serving an additional 15 years in the Texas National Guard (flying F101 Voodoos and F4 Phantoms). His hospital administration career spanned over 35 years, which enabled him to travel and work all over the country.
Jim, also answered to the names Jimmy, Daddy and later Papa. His family was his world and he took the role as provider and protector, as serious as any man on this Earth. As a gentle man, who hated conflict, he became an excellent negotiator. He was an avid Texas historian and spent the later years acting in the Texas Army in their battle re-enactments. Texas trivia game play and our long American family history was common talk at our dinner table. There are few people that have not heard of our ancestors and their treks across country to form this great nation. This is a memory of our father that will be cherished for our lifetimes. He continued to fight for our country in recent years as an active member of the Republican party serving as a precinct chair. He always was the first to show up when help was needed and never to back down from something he felt was right. He was our American Patriot, hero, husband, father and grandfather. He was ours.
Jim was preceded in death by his immediate family. He lost his brother, John, suddenly at the young age of 24 and his father, Warren the following year. His mother Jewel passed away in 1997 when he was 51. We take comfort knowing he is now in the arms of his family who he has missed so much.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, JoAnn; his daughter, Teri Roberson (Shawn) and his son, Jim Richardson (Heather). He was a wonderful Papa to his grandchildren, Bailee Bloodworth, Avrie Cole (Dylan), Jimmy Richardson, Warren Richardson, Carley Roberson and Luke Roberson.
Jim also leaves behind lifetime friends and in-laws, Mary and Charles Chestnut, Donna and John Cummings, nieces, nephews and several cousins. He will also be missed by friends and travel companions Jan and Ron Stanley, Tom and Johnnie Faye Harper, and Sharon and Ronnie Baxter.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 23, 2021 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Jim’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/james-earl-richardson. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location. Following the service, a reception will be held with refreshments. Interment with full military honors will be held at Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Thursday, July 22, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas.
If would like to make a donation in Jim's name for the River Rats.