Richie Joe Richardson, 70, of Strafford, passed away at 4:50am on Sunday, January 8th, 2023, at Select Specialty Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. Rich was born to John and Ermal (Haggard) Richardson on August 14, 1952, in Coalinga, California. It is a small town in central California. The family moved between California and Missouri. They settled in Strafford, Missouri and Rich graduated from Strafford High School on May 14, 1970. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps right out of high school and served for 6 years. During his service he was stationed at the US Embassy in Rangoon, Burma and the US Embassy in Taipei, Taiwan. He honorably discharged from the USMC on October 6, 1976, with the ranking of Sergeant (E-5). He met Denise Burgess while riding horses. They fell in love. Rich and Denise were married on December 13, 1975, with this union they had 4 children, 3 daughters and 1 son. They shared 47 years of marriage together.

Rich lived life to the fullest and loved anything to do with the outdoors, farming, gardening, riding horses, fishing and hunting. He enjoyed cooking and BBQ for family get togethers. Rich started his career with City Utilities in Springfield, Missouri in 1976 as a lineman and worked his way up and took classes and became a Substation Forman. He helped to build the substation for Mercy Hospital (St John’s Hospital) He retired from City Utilities in 2004. Rich joined the Masons in October 1997. He was affiliated with Hazelwood (10/3/97-8/19/97), Henderson (8/19/99-11/23/10), Strafford Lodge (11/23/10-current). He became a Master Mason on 3/13/99. On June 5, 1999, he joined the Abou Ben Adhem. Rich was a hospital dad who drove the white van go cart in parades around the area and transported many patients to the Shriners Hospital in St Louis for care.

Rich will be remembered as a proud veteran, loving husband, dad, papaw, brother, uncle and friend. He will also be remembered for overcoming serious injuries and health issues along the way. He met each challenge head on and fought fiercely.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ermal Richardson, 2 sisters and 6 brothers. He is survived by his wife, Denise; daughter, Sherry Johnson; daughter, Tommi Fullerton and husband Jeff; daughter, Tammi Rusher and husband Darin; son, Chadwick Richardson and wife Samantha; 10 grandchildren, Hayley, Logan, Raif, Reed, Rhett, Destinee, Peyton, Gracen, Braelyn and Brynlee.

A visitation for Richie Joe Richardson will be held on Monday, January 16, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield (3506 N National Ave). A graveside service with full military and Masonic honors will be held at Danforth Cemetery near Strafford (2380 N Farm Road 213) on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at 2:00 pm, with pastor Justin Graves officiating.