Richardson, Jack B. SMSgt, USAF, retired, passed away January 20, 2017 at age 87. Jack was born February 23, 1929 in the small coal mining community of Six, in Southern West Virginia. After high school he entered the Air Force, attended technical school and in 1946 was transferred overseas to Europe at age 17. He served overseas in Europe during the Berlin Airlift of 1948; 5th Air Force in Korea 1951-1952; Northern Air Material Area Tokyo, Japan 1955-1958; 4683rd Air Defense Wing, North West Greenland 1961-1962; and the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing, Vietnam, 1965-1966. Jack also served several TDY assignments overseas while attached to the 305th and 306th Bomb Wings out of MacDill AFB, Tampa Florida. During his stateside off duty hours he attended the University of California, graduated with a BS in education from the University of Tampa and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of South Florida. Jack Retired as an Airborne Electronics Systems Superintendent from the United States Air Force at MacDill AFB, Tampa Florida, in 1973, and taught the next 18 years at Hillsborough High School in Tampa. He was extremely patriotic, an avid reader, and loved the study of history and world events with a passion. Jack is preceded in death by his beloved daughters, Laurie Ann and Cathy Lynn. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Alice; sister, Norma Jean Conley of Coalwood, West Virginia and several nieces and nephews. Jack and Alice funded in 1984 the Laurie Ann Richardson Endowed Memorial Scholarship for Master Degree Candidates in the Department of Special Education, University of South Florida; to honor their daughter Laurie Ann who died in an automobile accident in 1984 at the age of 21, one week before graduating from that department. The Cathy Lynn Richardson Endowed Memorial Scholarship for Doctorial Candidates in Special Education was funded by Jack and Alice to honor their disabled daughter Cathy. These perpetual scholarships were a source of pride for Jack, as they are for Alice. The things he did and the places he traveled during his military career are things he looked upon with great pride and his second career of teaching he felt was extremely rewarding. Volunteering after retirement he felt was a way of giving back some of the good things that had been given to him. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jack’s honor to the Hospice and Palliative Care Unit Fund #9138 at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, 13000 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612. A visitation will be from 10-11 am with funeral service at 11 am on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Blount & Curry Carrollwood Chapel, 3207 W Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33618; burial will follow with procession to Lutz Cemetery. www.BlountCurryCarrollwood.com
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