Ira Richard Richardson, Sr.

Ira Richard Richardson, Sr., 80, of Lake Charles passed away on Tuesday, 31 July 2012, during an afternoon nap at the VA War Veterans Home in Jennings, LA. God was merciful. He was a great man of love, grace and faith.

Richard was born in Lake Charles LA on 22 January 1932. After graduating LaGrange High School in 1951, he was a Korean War combat veteran serving as a Radio-Relay Sergeant, 13th Signal Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, US Army, 1951-1952. He worked as a Conoco Refinery pipefitter for 25 years. Ira built his own house in 1969. He was a faithful Baptist, a LaGrange Gatorette Dad and Treasurer, an enthusiastic LaGrange 1951 Alumnus, a Little League baseball coach, long-suffering Houston Astros fan, and traveler. And, he thought he was Bob Hope.

He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas Richardson and Myrtis Barnes-Barrett, his beloved stepfather Arthur Barrett, brother Leo Richardson and sister Mary Louise Barrett. Richard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Greta Willis-Richardson, his brother Billie Joe Barrett, children Ira Rick Richardson (Robin Oertling-Richardson), Ed Earl Richardson Sr. (Diana Gerg-Richardson), and Pamela Sue Richardson-Barbry (Robert Barbry), 7 grandchildren Jessica Meeks-Roberts (Jerry), Eddy Richardson TSGT USAF (Kassy French-Richardson), Jonathan Ira Richardson, Michael Jeffrey Richardson, Allyson Barbry, Michael Grover Richardson, and Robert Barbry II (Rachel), and 4 great-grandchildren.

The Family will receive visitors at Johnson Funeral Home on Thursday, 2 August 2012, 3-9pm. Services will be Friday, 3 August 2012, at 10am and officiated by Rev. Ronnie Este of Lake Area Baptist Church and Rev. Gary Evers of Glad Tidings Church. Burial with military honors will be at Prien Memorial Cemetery in Lake Charles. In lieu of flowers please make your donations to the VA War Veterans Home in Jennings, LA.