R. Jack Richardson

JAMESTOWN, NC – Jack Richardson, 88, formerly from Bluefield, WV, passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, from injuries he received from a fall on Christmas Eve. Jack was born on January 19, 1936, in Williamson, WV, to John William and Girly Mae Duncan Richardson. At the age of 17, he enlisted and served two years in the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged in 1955 after receiving the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. Shortly after returning to civilian life, Jack started dating and fell in love with Anna Justine Wallace. Jack and Ann were married in January 1956 and remained married for 63 years, until her death in 2019. Jack and Ann had four children, Jack Jr., Rusty, David, and Julie. Early in his career, Jack worked for the Mercer Funeral Home and drove for Hennis Freight Line. Then, like his father, he began his long career with Norfolk & Western Railroad (now Norfolk Southern). His roles with the railroad included fireman, brakeman, conductor, and ultimately engineer. To supplement his railroad income in the early 1960s, Jack established the first Datsun dealership in the State of West Virginia. The small dealership eventually grew into Richardson Motors that included Datsun, Volvo, Fiat, Toyota, and Avco Motor Coaches. The dealership closed in the early 1980s. After the closure of Richardson Motors, Jack returned to his railroad roots with the Genessee & Wyoming Railroad and Rail Link as an Engineer Trainer before retiring. Outside of his family and work life, the most important part of Jack’s life was his deep involvement in the various Masonic organizations. He was a member of the Bluefield Mercer Lodge No. 85 for more than 50 years and became a member of the Scottish Rite in 1966 followed by the York Rite. He later served as Potentate for the Beni Kedem Temple (Shriners) in 1987 and President of the South Atlantic Shrine Association AAONMS in 1990. He also thoroughly enjoyed his affiliations with various Courts of the Royal Order of Jesters. In recognition of his long record of selfless service and leadership to Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite, the Supreme Council bestowed upon Jack the honorary 33rd Degree in 1985. His favorite hobbies included fishing, gardening, taking care of his two cats, and playing cards (spades, poker, forty rummy and especially Kings Corner), and smoking cigars (down to the smallest stub). Jack was preceded in death by his parents (John and Girly), his wife (Ann), and his five siblings Hazel Deskins, Cecil Richardson, Midge Harmon, Maxine Cardwell, and Bill Richardson. He is survived by his sister-in-law Lynda Bodell Gentry (Hal) of Old Hickory, TN; son R. Jack Richardson, Jr. (Debbie) of Jamestown, NC; son Rusty Richardson (Kathy) of Lebanon, TN; son David Richardson (Donna) of Pickens, SC; daughter Julie Richardson Phillips (Richard) of Oak Ridge, NC; 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will include Justin Richardson, Ned Phillips, Cole Richardson, Jimmy Rasche, Will Puckett, and Bill Carr. Honorary pallbearers include Jack’s many Masonic friends from Beni Kedem Temple, the Scottish Rite, South Atlantic Shrine Association, and the Royal Order of Jesters. The funeral service will be held at Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM. The family will receive visitors at the Funeral Home from 11:00 AM until the beginning of the funeral service. Internment will follow at Monte Vista Park Cemetery in Green Valley. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to: Shriners Children's Hospitals, Attn: Shriners Children's, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 www.lovetotherescue.org or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014. www.michaeljfox.org. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com.

R. Jack Richardson

January 19, 1935 - December 25, 2024