Jimmy Ronald Richardson

Jimmy Ron Richardson was born in Bakersfield, CA on March 24, 1940. Ron was an amazingly outgoing person who loved people and music. Growing up as a Bakersfield native, Ron graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1958, marrying his wife Carolyn Kay Dickson that same year. At the age of 23, he convinced a national dairy to give him a loan to purchase his first grocery store, Food Town Market. He went on to partner with Ernie Bracamonte to purchase three local grocery stores which became Center Super Markets. They also owned and operated a liquor store and tackle shop in Lake Isabella, CA and a regional RC Cola bottling and distribution franchise.

During his time as a grocer, Ron and Kay also raised three children, Jeff, Ron and Sharl Richardson. An active and loving father, he and his family enjoyed the outdoors, participating in sports, horseback riding and 4H where he served as the Sheep Leader for West Bakersfield 4H. Ron was also an avid sportsman who enjoyed countless hunting and fishing trips with his sons and close friends.

With the birth of his first grandchild in 1982, Ron became a grandfather and from that time forward would be known lovingly by his family as Poppy. His eight grandchildren, Aaryn Richardson, Beth Ewens, Brandon and Blair Richardson, Ross Barnett, Lauren, Paige and Hailey Richardson, kept him busy with endless backyard campouts, driving lessons, diving competitions and bed time stories. Poppy was notorious for bragging about their academic and career achievements, even erecting a Richardson Hall of Fame wall of pictures in his home. Although Poppy himself was only a high school graduate, all of his grandchildren graduated from college with four going on to attain advanced degrees, including two juris doctorates, 3 master's degrees, and one PhD.

Three of the grandchildren had their first jobs working at Hat Creek Steakhouse, which Ron and Kay opened in 1995, following the sale of the Center Market stores. For three years the couple operated the popular eatery in Southwest Bakersfield until Ron moved on to real estate.

In 2001, Ron joined the commercial real estate group at Watson Realty, experiencing the greatest success of his career. Earning multiple awards for his performance from 2002-2006, Ron finally retired in 2008.

During his retirement years, Ron traveled extensively with Kay and watched affectionately as his family grew with the birth of his eleven great grandchildren, Peyton Richardson, Quinn Kovacs, Elle and Cash Richardson, Bennet and Cameron Kovacs, Henry Darr, Samuel Anderson, Levi Richardson, Margo Darr and Ansel Anderson. In addition, he grew personally and spiritually, transforming from an awareness of God to a personal relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

After battling and surviving cancer for 15 years, Ron succumbed to the disease and went to be with the Lord on April 21, 2022. He was loved dearly by his family and will be forever missed by those who knew him. A special heartfelt thank you to Sandy Ryan at Kaiser Permanente.

Ron was preceded in death by his sister Sue (Richardson) Johnson. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Kay (Dickson) Richardson, his son Jeff and wife Shannon (Neff) Richardson, Ron and wife Vicki (Holley) Richardson, his daughter Sharl and husband David Talon, grandchildren Aaryn Richardson, Beth Kovacs (Matt Kovacs), Brandon Richardson (Shanan Markley), Blair Richardson (Rhianna Lankau), Ross Barnett (Monica Barnett), Lauren Darr (Matt Darr), Paige Richardson, Hailey Anderson (Tony Anderson) and eleven great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 6, at 9am at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary.