George Lee Richardson

George Richardson

George Richardson, 84, of Kirksville, MO, (formerly of Martinstown, MO) passed away at Twin Pines Adult Residential Care in Kirksville, MO, on Tuesday, August 19, 2014. He had been a resident there for nearly two years.

George Lee Richardson was born in Kirksville, MO, on December 31, 1929, the son of William B. and Phoebe Ellen (Sparks) Richardson, who preceded him in death. He attended school in Martinstown, MO, before graduating from Kirksville High School in 1947. After working for his father on the family farm, George married Evelyn Elizabeth Bland in Kirksville on September 2, 1950, and she survives in Kirksville.

George and Evelyn returned to the Martinstown area to farm after living and working in Waterloo, IA, for a brief period. George spent the next several years engaged in farming. He also built the home in which he and Evelyn lived in their later years. George retired from active farming in 1984 but continued to rent his ground. He began to drive a school bus at that time for K & M Bus Company, working in the Putnam County School District. George drove the school bus for a number of years before finally retiring. He and Evelyn enjoyed several years of retirement and travel before selling the farm and moving to Kirksville in 2009.

George was an active and integral part of the Martinstown community for many years. He served on the Martinstown School Board, was secretary/treasurer of the Martinstown Cemetery, and was a dedicated volunteer fire fighter and secretary/treasurer for over 25 years for the Elm Township Fire Protection District. George was an avid coon hunter, even raising his own hounds. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and following the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. George was a jack-of-all-trades who could fix anything or do anything he set his mind to do. He was a life member of the NRA. George was very patriotic and flew a flag at his residence near Martinstown 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in full compliance with established procedures and was honored for doing so by the Cpl. Braxton C. Pollard Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. George was baptized in later years at the Central Church of Christ in Kirksville.

In addition to his wife, George is survived by four sons, Mike Richardson and wife Wendy of Hannibal, MO, Pat Richardson of Kirksville, MO, John Richardson of Kirksville, MO, and Barry Richardson of Goodyear, AZ; and three daughters, Janoah Medecee of Unionville, MO, Cheryl Bennett and husband Roger of Polo, MO, and Elizabeth Gatlin and husband Chad of Martinstown, MO. Fifteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren survive as well as two brothers, Eugene Richardson of Marceline, MO, and Bill Richardson and wife Doris of Unionville, MO; and two sisters, Mary Virginia Coy of Apache Junction, AZ, and Lavena Mitchell of Greentop, MO.

Others who preceded George in death were four brothers, Noah Richardson, Jessie Richardson (in infancy), Nova Richardson, and Berdean Richardson; and one sister, Genevieve Butler.

Funeral services for George Richardson will take place at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 23, 2014 with visitation one hour prior to the service. Darl Davis will conduct the service. Casket bearers will bee George’s grandsons, Shawn Richardson, Seth Richardson, Brice Richardson, Hunter Richardson, Adam Bennett, Levi Gatlin, and Logan Gatlin. Honorary casket bearers will be George’s granddaughters, Anna Richardson, Hannah Finger, Hilary Richardson, Shawna Hook, Cherish Richardson, Miranda Rose, Katey Bennett, and Lauren Bennett. Interment will be at the Martinstown Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Martinstown School Community Building, the Martinstown Cemetery, or the Elm Township Fire Department and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.