James John Richichi Jr.

James John Richichi Jr. James John Richichi, Jr. (Jim) was born on November 3, 1947 in Freemont, Nebraska and passed away on May 12, 2016 at his home in Fort Worth, Texas. He is survived by Debbie, his loving wife, daughter, Alysia ("Ellie") Boleski, his three grandchildren, Chelsea, Abigail, and Alexandra Boleski: His great grandchildren, Natalie and Piper, and his sister Veronica (Roni) Pond and his brother, Tom Richichi. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James Richichi, Sr. and Veronica Richichi (Belford). Jim spent his childhood years in the Midwest, attending grade-school in Iowa and high school in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was an honor student and an all-state wrestler. Jim was a veteran of the Armed Forces, having joined the United States Navy following his graduation from high school in 1966. He served for the next six years as a sonar specialist on Navy destroyers on a variety of deployments. Following an honorable discharge from the navy, he enrolled in the University of Missouri and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in just three years. After graduation from college, Jim served as an engineer and logistics specialist for a number of major aerospace companies, working on productions of the country's most important military aircrafts for McDonnell-Douglas (the F-4), General Dynamics (F-16), Lockheed (F-22) and most recently with Bell Aerospace on the V-22. Jim retired from Bell in 2015 to enjoy his retirement years in Fort Worth with his lovely and devoted wife, Debbie. Jim was known for his easygoing demeanor and sense of humor, his likeable personality, his loyalty to family and friends, and his strong work ethic. In his spare time enjoyed listening to classical music, golfing, and spending quality time with wife, Debbie and their dogs. The oldest of the Richichi children, Jim was a mentor, role model and inspiration to his younger brother, Tom, and his sister, Roni. In addition to his adoring wife, Jim leaves behind as his legacy his beautiful daughter, Ellie, his three cherished grandchildren, Chelsea, Abby and Lexi, and his great-granddaughters, Natalie and Piper. In the event you would like to honor his memory, the family respectfully suggest a donation to the American Heart Association.