Lt. Col. John R. Richmond USAF, Retired

Bedford- John R. Richmond, 86 Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.), died June 18, 2021, in Bedford, Texas. Memorial/Interment is scheduled for July 14, 2021, at 12:30 pm at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas.

John was born in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High and enlisted in the Air Force. A year later, he qualified for and subsequently graduated from the Aviation Cadet program, receiving his pilot’s wings and commission. He served in Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller/ ALO attached for flying duty to the Army’s 1st Air Calvary, Division/1st Brigade in the “Highlands” and later at an ARVN base in the “Delta”. He flew 362 combat missions during which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with sixteen clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one cluster.

While in service he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. At retirement, he received the Meritorious Service Medal, joining other awards given throughout his 20-year career. He subsequently worked as a City Manager for PepsiCo Truck Rental and Leasing, later as Executive Director Blood Systems, Inc., and retired as a Boeing 727 Ground School Instructor for American Airlines.

John was preceded in death by his first wife of 40 years, Bernadine Kennedy, and son Mark.

He is survived by his wife Helen; son Michael and wife Karen; grandson John M. and wife Tessa; great-grandchildren Isabelle, Ahstin, Savannah, and Christian; stepdaughter Sharon Barbera; daughters in law Lynn Hargrave and Sandra Craft; brother Thomas and sister Susan Edwards; nephew Jon Kennedy and wife Ceilia, and many other extended family members.

Memorial contributions in honor of John R. Richmond can be made to the Disabled American Veterans, National Headquarters P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45250-0301. OR Cal Farley’s Boy’s Ranch, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas, 79174-0001.

If you wish to send flowers in honor of Mr. John Ray Richmond please contact Lilium Floral Design at 817-589-1566 or http://www.liliumflorals.com.