Gerald Allen Richardson, Jr.

Gerald Allen Richardson, Jr. passed away Sunday, September 6, 2015 at the age of 85, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Drew, MS, he was the son of Gerald and Cleo Richardson. He lived most of his early life in Choctaw County where he graduated from Reform High School in 1948 as president and valedictorian of his class. After one year at Wood Junior College, where he was elected class president, he was awarded the first John C. Stennis Fellowship to attend George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and to work for the U.S. Senate.
In 1951 he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he remained for more than 20 years, serving during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During his military career, he served in more than forty countries and was awarded nine medals for valor or meritorious service (including two Legion of Merit awards) and earned six campaign medals. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and served on the staff of the Army War College. At the time of his Army retirement, as a Lieutenant Colonel, he was Chief of the Signal Branch, Department of the Army.
After retiring from the Army, he attended Mississippi State University where he earned three degrees. He then worked in the offices of Mississippi Governors, William Waller and Cliff Finch. Following his tenure in the Governor’s Offices, he taught Industrial Technology at Mississippi State University for 16 years until his retirement in 1993.
He was a proud life-long Democrat, active for many years with the Oktibbeha County Democratic Party. He was a life member of VFW Post 5573, Starkville, MS. An avid reader and crossword puzzler; he never met a crossword puzzle he couldn’t solve. He may be remembered best as a renowned master woodcarver. His beautiful nativity scenes and bird and animal carvings adorn the homes of people in Mississippi and throughout the country.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Florence (Leonard) and four children: Rebecca of Denver, CO; Amy of Crawford, MS; Gerald of Crawford, MS; and Elizabeth Arnold (Curtis) of Bethesda, OH. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Emily Smith (Dave) of Fairborn OH, and Nicholas Arnold (Molly) of Monterey, CA, and great-grand daughters, Aela and Nicole. He is also survived by three sisters, Juanita Adams and Janice Tyler, both of Jackson, MS, Cheryl Rester of Greenville, MS, and one brother, Don, of Madison, MS. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ross, and a sister, Joanne McMinn.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 9, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, MS. Funeral Service is scheduled at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, at Welch Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Starkville. Memorials may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America or the Army Emergency Relief.