Obituary for Ronald Richardson
Ret. U.S. Army Col. Ronald R. Richardson, our beloved father, died peacefully in his sleep, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. He was born Nov. 28, 1930 in Orlando, Fla., to Hoak and Edith Richardson.
He grew up in Apopka, Florida. He met the love of his life Marilyn, and they began dating when they were just 14 years old. The high school sweethearts married in 1950 before moving into Clemson’s married student housing, bringing along their pet spider monkey.
Dad attended Clemson University on a basketball and track scholarship, where to this day he proudly holds a basketball “rebound” record. Upon graduation from Clemson in 1952, Ronald was commissioned into the US Army where he served for the next 30 years.
In the early 1950’s, Dad did a tour in Korea. Afterward, he taught ROTC at Furman University; attended and taught at the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; and did a tour in Vietnam as a Battalion Commander. He remained in contact with many of those who served under his leadership and was able to attend reunions over the years. After Vietnam, Dad served at the Pentagon. He attended the US Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa., where he earned a master’s degree in counseling. Eventually, Dad retired at Fort Leavenworth.
Mom and Dad spent many happy years of retirement in the beautiful Leavenworth County countryside. Dad was preceded in death by his beloved wife in 2013 after 66 years of marriage. He stayed in their home until 2019 when he moved into assisted living, with his cat, to be nearer to family in Clermont, Fla. He is also preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.
He is survived by his daughter, Renee Richardson and her two daughters, Arielle Renee and Morgaine Adkin; his son, Ray Richardson and wife, Trina Richardson, their children and spouses, Mandy and Baz Demetsy, Josh and Erica Richardson and Tara Richardson; a granddaughter, Avery Richardson; with words spoken often, our “adopted daughter” Georgeann Richardson.
Dad was a passionate collector of Western antiques and an avid woodcarver. He was an intelligent, accomplished man; athletic, handsome and charming - with the very best sense of humor! His was a life well lived, in service and dedication to his family and country. He will be truly missed.
Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. A funeral service will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest with his loving wife at a later date. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to: Mr. David Bloom for the L. Z . BLOOM MEMORIAL FUND, 2118 Navajo Road, Clay Center, KS, 67432.
He grew up in Apopka, Florida. He met the love of his life Marilyn, and they began dating when they were just 14 years old. The high school sweethearts married in 1950 before moving into Clemson’s married student housing, bringing along their pet spider monkey.
Dad attended Clemson University on a basketball and track scholarship, where to this day he proudly holds a basketball “rebound” record. Upon graduation from Clemson in 1952, Ronald was commissioned into the US Army where he served for the next 30 years.
In the early 1950’s, Dad did a tour in Korea. Afterward, he taught ROTC at Furman University; attended and taught at the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; and did a tour in Vietnam as a Battalion Commander. He remained in contact with many of those who served under his leadership and was able to attend reunions over the years. After Vietnam, Dad served at the Pentagon. He attended the US Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa., where he earned a master’s degree in counseling. Eventually, Dad retired at Fort Leavenworth.
Mom and Dad spent many happy years of retirement in the beautiful Leavenworth County countryside. Dad was preceded in death by his beloved wife in 2013 after 66 years of marriage. He stayed in their home until 2019 when he moved into assisted living, with his cat, to be nearer to family in Clermont, Fla. He is also preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.
He is survived by his daughter, Renee Richardson and her two daughters, Arielle Renee and Morgaine Adkin; his son, Ray Richardson and wife, Trina Richardson, their children and spouses, Mandy and Baz Demetsy, Josh and Erica Richardson and Tara Richardson; a granddaughter, Avery Richardson; with words spoken often, our “adopted daughter” Georgeann Richardson.
Dad was a passionate collector of Western antiques and an avid woodcarver. He was an intelligent, accomplished man; athletic, handsome and charming - with the very best sense of humor! His was a life well lived, in service and dedication to his family and country. He will be truly missed.
Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. A funeral service will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest with his loving wife at a later date. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to: Mr. David Bloom for the L. Z . BLOOM MEMORIAL FUND, 2118 Navajo Road, Clay Center, KS, 67432.