James Earl Richardson

James Earl Richardson (Jim) was born July 5, 1936 in Long Beach, California to Earl Eugene Richardson and Vida (Thompson) Richardson. He was raised in Long Beach. He attended Long Beach Poly and University of Redlands. He met his high school sweetheart and future wife Mary Rich, at Long Beach Poly. They were married 66 years. Jim started work with the California Youth Authority as a youth counselor in 1964. He worked for 30 years and retired as a Captain Deputy Chief of Security.

Jim’s personal sport was bowling as an adult, but he loved every sport. He was a coach for all three of his sons’ little league baseball teams and later on attended all of their games and also many of his grandchildren’s games, no matter what sport they were in. When his children and grandchildren were grown up, he would attend the neighborhood kids’ games as well. Many called him a professional spectator. He also had a passion for history, race cars, boating, and water skiing.

He is survived by his wife Mary, their sons Doug (Laurie), Don (Debbie), Kenny (Liz), brother Dave (Jennifer), 6 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. We mourn his loss, but celebrate the wonderful life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind.