James Ray Richardson

Jim was born on February 7th, 1941 to his parents F. Raymond Richardson and Alice A. Richardson in Spokane, Washington. He was the youngest of their three children, including a sister named Doris M., and a baby boy Francis R. who passed at one day old.

Jim grew up in the city of Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Franklin High School in 1959. He served in the U.S. Air Force as an Airman Third Class from August 1959 until January 1961, when he was honorably discharged. He spent some time furthering his education with an architectural degree in Pennsylvania, and also worked as a plumbing apprentice in Missouri, before coming back to Portland. There, on an Easter Sunday in a Methodist church, he met the love of his life.

Jim Richardson and Sharon Weaver were married on April 30, 1964 after just a short time of getting to know each other and realizing they didn’t want to spend their lives apart. They were married for 53 years, and their love only grew deeper over the years. He absolutely adored her, so it was devastating to him when she passed away in 2017. He was holding her hand still when she passed.

Together, Jim and Sharon raised two daughters in the town of Roseburg, Oregon, where he bought a house and started a chimney sweeping business. He owned the business for 20 years, and was a well-respected member of the community as well as a member of the local Kiwanis club from 1987 - 1997. He served as President of Kiwanis in 1991-1992. Then in 1998, they sold their home in Roseburg and moved to their dream home that they had built in Henderson, Nevada, where they would spend their golden years.

Jim is survived by his youngest daughter, Trina K. Richardson of Henderson, Nevada, granddaughters Kathie (Vince) LaRue of Osorno, Chile, and Kimberly Owen of Seattle, Washington, as well as four great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Lee Richardson, daughter, Michaele M. Owen, his parents, and his two siblings.

Friends remember Jim as a dependable, honest, supportive and unconditionally loving husband and father. To them, he was a fabulous example of what a husband and father should be, and they are continually inspired by his example in their own marriages.

His family remembers him as a safe, protective father and grandfather. He was the one in the family that you could talk to whenever you needed advice, and he would give you straight, common sense answers. He was a quiet man, never seeking attention, but he would speak with wisdom and experience. With his gentle, patient, self-controlled demeanor, he showed his daughters and granddaughters what a real man looks like. His memory will continue to leave an impression on his family and friends for years to come. He was a very special person, and we truly miss him.

At his request, Jim’s final wishes were for his ashes to be taken to Lincoln City, Oregon. There will be no memorial service or funeral. He loved to watch sunsets and sunrises near any body of water.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmboulderhighway.com for the Richardson family.