Joseph Francis Richard Jr.

Joseph Francis Richard Jr., age 97, of Plano, passed away August 6 in his home surrounded by family. He was born in Mobile, Alabama on June 13, 1925 to Joseph and Louise Richard. He and his family moved to Dallas at a young age, and he spent much of his boyhood shining shoes and selling Liberty Magazine to help support his family. As a teenager, he attended Adamson High School by day, and often worked at the A&P Bakery by night, where his father also worked.

In 1943, at the age of 17, he received his parents’ permission to join the Navy, and left school to join the war effort. He was stationed first at Kingsville Naval Air Base where he became a crew chief and was later deployed on the USS Makin Island CVE93 where he was the ship’s baker. When the war was over, he was honorably discharged. He would fondly remember his days in the Navy for the rest of his life.

After the war, a blind date landed him a dance with Betty Jeanne Ewton. He knew immediately that he wanted to marry her, and he told her so that night. They married on June 29, 1947 and spent 75 happy years together. Joe and Betty Jeanne had twelve children: Susie, Joseph, Michael, Charles, Edward, Madeline, Marilyn, Patrick, Teresa, Jeanne, John, and James. He is survived by all twelve of his children.

The family didn’t stop at the twelve kids though, and Joe and Betty Jeanne now have 64 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who know them better as Nana and PawPaw.

In his later years, Joe often said, “I’m not a smart man, but I was a good worker.” He worked to support his parents and siblings when he was young. He worked in service of his country in the Navy. He worked after the war back at the A&P Bakery for decades. He worked as the Buildings and Grounds Foreman at Parkland Hospital until his retirement in 1988.

He claimed it was only luck that in all of these places he rose to supervisory roles, but those who knew him know better. Not only did he work harder than anyone, but he genuinely enjoyed it. He was reprimanded once in the Navy for missing the morning Muster because he had gotten up early to start his day’s work and forgot to report for roll call. He regularly rose long before the sun to get to work at Parkland just because he enjoyed it. When he wasn’t at work, he was usually working on some project in his workshop, almost always as a favor or a gift for someone else. He never saw work as just a necessary evil, as so many do. It was the pride and privilege of his life to work hard, to do every job right, and to use the fruits of that work to bless his family, friends, and neighbors.

When he wasn’t at work, he was usually working on some project in his workshop, almost always as a favor or a gift for someone else. If he saw a need that he could meet – he spared no effort to meet it.

He will be remembered by those who love him as a humble, generous, and disciplined man with a strong back and a soft heart. He will be missed terribly, but his legacy will live forever in those he leaves behind.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Joe will be held Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, followed by the funeral service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Calvary Hill Funeral Home, 3235 Lombardy Ln, Dallas, TX 75220. A graveside service will follow from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM.