I apologize for this coming years later. But I just wanted to say Jay was an amazing man! I met him the very first time when I was 10  years old at the surf. I was a huge fan of his father's and was so blown away when I finally got to met him. When he would tour through the surf during the years he took me under his wing. He was such a kind and gentle soul. I was so blessed to know him and call him a friend. I will carry on his memory and his father's memory.  My love to his family. To hos family and him thank you for helping a kid fit in.
-Jaymee

You are missed my friend. I still can't believe that you've been gone for so long. I'm sure that you're having a rockin' birthday in Heaven with your dad and the rest of the WDP crew. Sending love and hugs to you. 
Thank you to those who kept this guestbook open A testament to a wonderful man and talented artist.

I saw you in a show in Willowbrook, IL and it was most entertaining. You signed my poster after the show, I still have it. Like your dad, who I remember like yesterday, you ledt this earth way too soon. God will take care of you now.

I am shocked to hear about his death. I didn't know he passed away last year.  God bless his family! May he reunited with God and his famous father and beloved mother and big sister!

The first time I seen J.P. perform with The Winter Dance Party..He touched my heart in such A Very Special Way! You could just see how "Down To Earth" he was. After he sang the song "Angels Are Watching Over Me" written & performed by J.P. Sr. The song lyric is so very touching & so true to feeling! Because their ARE Angels Watching Over You!!! I would always sit in the front row  & would always be the first to stand after he finished singing this song. The people would follow me. J. P. always admired me for this!!  It was a very special song & not only but WAS also VERY SPECIAL IN J.P. JR'S HEART!!! Once I had walked up to the the stage  & he took my hand & clenched it tightly after that song infront  of 500 people. Thats how much this song truly meant to him, I ALWAYS KNEW....this( he never once told me! )
     In the Lobby after every Show..we always took pictures & I called him "My Big Teddy Bear" & that he certainly was. He would hug me & that smile of his I'll never forget!! He was a very Honest & Sincere Person. Not to mention a Wonderful & Great Entertainer. I ever met!  His pictures & memories will be forever cherished in my heart! Even though I never met his dad (As I only was a year old in 1959. at the time of his dads death , but wished I could of met him!) But I know & truly feel in my heart that Jr. was exactly like him. So I guess you can say....I met JP. through Jr.

     SO REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND...............YOU & YOUR DADS MEMORIES WILL BE WITH US.......................FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     Rhonda Burich (Daisy Mae) Cadott Wisconsin

To the family of Jay P. Richardson, "Jr".
Remember in your heart how "Kind and Caring" your Husband and Father was to so many people. Thank God you were able to spent time with a really great human being. I saw "Jr" several times and got to talk to him in length one time. I will never forget him. I pray he gets to see and talk with his Father now. God bless him now and forever.

Today I mourn you.I am at a loss for words.The music world lost a great singer.I wanted to see you in concert but missed the opportunity.You and your father and mother are reunited in heaven.God bless those in your family who are left behind.We your fans shall miss you.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

This came as quite a shock. Earlier in the year I came across video of JP Richardson jnr performing as a tribute to his father and enjoyed it so much.  Its just as though the music died all over again. God bless and wish you all well. Walter Heaven (England)

I AM VERY SADDEN TO HEAR JAY P. RICHARDSON JR. HAS PASSED AWAY.MAY GOD BLESS. R.I.P. JAY YOU WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH.

Sad to hear 'Big Bopper Jr.' has passed away. I wish his family well.
I believe he'll get to meet his Daddy in the here after. R.I.P. 'Big Bopper Jr.'
Rock-On Dude.

 I was so saddened to hear of Jay's passing.  Sending prayers to his family and friends.  May you R.I.P. Jay.  God Bless.

I grew up listening to "Chantilly Lace", and am saddened by your loss.

rip jay  it was great to meet you and get to know you  you were a fun guy

Jay your very deeply missed by myself  and my wife the first time. I met you it was such a great pleasure and anytime thereafter so much fun just talking and laughing. Kevin and Joyce Perowitz. (Bloomington,MN)

The Big Bopper Jr. was remembered in the Fall issue of Katy Magazine - the10th anniversary issue. Richardson first visited with us back in 2006, and again in 2012. http://www.katymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Catching-Up-with-Katy.pdf

I was a deejay down here in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil from 1957 to 1964 and a big fan of Big Bopper and for many years Chantilly Lace was spinned on my show as a standard 45rpm record.It was with sadness that I heard about the death of Big Bopper´s  son who was  very much appreciated by all Bopper´s fans all over the world.May God open his arms around both artists and I  wish with all my heart that all of you from the Family understands that death is a certain point of life that shows we are eternal under the protection of God.My condolences and respect to all of you.  Roberto Nunes

We fondly remember meeting Jay for the first time in Clovis, New Mexico, in 2006.  After watching him perform we met him the next morning in our hotel lobby.  When he found out we had journeyed from Canada's east coast he gave us his name tag, his VIP parking pass, pose for pictures and shared is autograph.  Over the years we enjoyed watching him perform many times and he always took some of his valued time to share with us.  He was a big teddy bear of a man who touched many with his gentle spirit.  We loved him like a brother and share your loss.  May his spirit live on.

Big fan of your father.  I'm so glad you finally got to meet him and now you are together in eternity.  Be at Peace!

Jay - you were so charming the couple of times I got to meet you in Clear Lake. I'm glad you finally got to meet your dad.

We are very sorry to hear of Jay's passing. He was wonderful person, and like his Dad, larger than life. From all at the International Songwriters Association, Limerick City, Ireland

Rest in peace Jay.Thank you for making me smile.You always were upbeat and never pretended to be bigger than anyone..but you were a very bighearted and loved guy.Bless you.
Bruce Medici

Jay P  .. I never got to meet you     but, did see you perform, you brought  the joy and fun of your daddy's music, and we all had a great time             ..Rest in Peace

The last time we got to visit with Jay was at the Willowbrook Ballroom near Chicago in January 2013.
We will miss him. Our prayers go out to his family

I'm so sorry to hear of Jay's passing.
I met Jay on his trip to the U.K. with Bobby Vee ect. a few years ago & I spent some time talking to him during the afternoon at the Grimsby Auditorium.
He was a real Gentleman & signed all my cd's of him & had lots of photo's taken.
I witnessed not only his sound check, but his part in the show as well & I was knocked out how great an artist he was in his own right as well as being the embodiment of his late father, who he never met.
Well, they're together in heaven now singing for the Lord along with Buddy, Ritchie et al.
My Love & prayers to his family & sorry for your loss, I will always remember Jay as a lovely gentle kind & friendly man.
Tom Casey. U.K.

My cousin Jay, You will be missed. We just connected back on face book for the first time in over 20 years. Im so glad I had the chance to speak with you after so many years. Rest in peace love you.

My wife and I went to the winter dance party in Illinois & Wisconsin a few times and really enjoyed the three. I feel as sad as I did in 59 when his father died. My prayers to his family.  Bill Finkel   Libertyville Ill.

My wife and I just found out about JP on our way back from a resort in Boerne. They announced it on Sirus Radio. We were shocked by the news. We went to his Little Bopper Bar in Katy a few times and always had a great time. After he closed it, I often seen him at Swampy's a Cajun Resturant In Katy and would run in to him at the store in front of our home Sub Division. He always had a smile on his face and would always talk to us when we ran in to each other. If I did not have my Texas Longhorn cap on... he would ask where it was. He will be missed by all his friends and family..RIP in peace JP and the greatest sympathy to his Family.

Just wanted to send our sincere sympathy to Jay's entire family! He will be truly missed. I was so glad that I was able to meet him! I actually met him that very first year he came to Clear Lake at the Winter Dance Party. I was sitting at the bar and he was by himself at a British get together. We visited for quite awhile and I had really no idea who he was at the time but he was just so fun to visit with. When I saw him perform that first time(a little nervous I think) he was amazing and looked so much like his dad. I could see just how much he missed his dad and the fact they never met. But there Rockin together now. I have lost my mother and father and my only brother and I can tell you that things happened that really renewed my faith in God and that there is something more. Faith gets you through! Somedays you will cry and somedays you will smile! Keep the music alive and keep rockin!!

Kevin and Sallie Scott
Hampton Minnesota

PS: I was at the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction (Okibogi, Iowa) this past weekend and just so you know one of the inductee groups performed Chantilly Lace! Everyone was singing along! May God Bless you all !

He may be gone, but his light will forever shine in our memories.

I wish I could hear the duet that he and his daddy are singing.

Hi I never got to see him perform except in video post. He did his dad proud and will be greatly miss at future Winter Dance Party show Larry

We are so glad that we saw Jay perform with John Mueller in Oelwein, Iowa on the Monday following the 2013 WDP in Clear Lake.  It was the last of many times that we saw him perform.  He was a great performer and more importantly, a wonderful man.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

I am so sad to hear of Jay's passing. I went to school with him in Beaumont, TX and remember him as being a sweet and kind young man. I can see from the other posts he never lost those traits. I regret never seeing him perform, it was something I had always planned to do. My prayers go out to his family.

We had the pleasure of meeting JP AT 20 DIFFERENT Shows here In Modesto, CA  Will always remember the good times we had with him. RITCHIE VALENS was my cousin and now there all gone. WE will always cherish his stories.

    Rudy&Diane Amezquita

I had the pleasure of seeing "Big Bopper Jr" perform at the 40th Anniversary Winter Dance Party Tour --- the first tour ever --- and several times after that when it came to southeastern Wisconsin. His performance would have made his Dad proud. I had the opportunity to meet him and speak with him after one of the shows. He was cordial and funny, and it was clear he enjoyed being a part of his father's legacy. It will be sad to attend future WDPs because JP Jr. was a true link to history, and he will surely be missed. Condolences to the Richardson family and a great big "Thank You" to them for sharing their husband/father/grandfather with the rest of us by allowing JP to tour. He brought much happiness to thousands of people.

I was very blessed to have gotten to see you perform many times and it was an honor to know you. Rest well, my friend. I miss you.

God bless and rest in peace,sent from
North Berwick, Scotland.

I saw you at The Winter Dance Party 2012
and it was a fantastic show.Thank`s for all.

I'll always cherish the memories I have of Jay and seeing him perform. He was such a caring man with a heart of gold. We can find comfort in knowing that he finally gets to be with his father. I'm so happy he got to see his beautiful grandchild before he passed. My thoughts and prayers are with his surviving family.

In the words of Eddie Cochran....you're singing for God now....and time to sing with your Dad....RIP Jay P

Jay, I miss you, man. You are gone too soon, but I'm glad we had the time with you that we did. God bless you and your family.

Such a loss...another true talent taken too early from us ! 

Deepest condolences from Scotland to the family.

Long may the music live on !!

Pete
The Crickets Sound Project

rip...bobber jr. you've touched many hearts pal...say hi to your dad for me...

I was fortunate and blessed to have met Jay when he performed a show here in Mansfield, Ohio. We met after the performance, and he made me feel like a friend. Watching Jay perform that night on the stage gave me much enjoyment, and it was a wonderful tribute to a father from his son! I was able to keep in touch with Jay over the years, and he was always very giving of his time. Thank you, Jay! With deepest sympathy, I extend my love and prayers to the entire Richardson family.

Patty
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jay was a very special guy and his legacy will live on forever. Every time we hear Chantilly Lace we will all have a big smile (-:
Love you
Melissa & Alan

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort and May God Bless you and your family.

With Deepest Sympathy,

Adam Evans and Employees of Kingsway Enterprises, LLC

RIP Sir you touched millions who showed up and Clear Lake. Tell your father and the others hello

My wife and I would like to extend our sympathy to the family of Jay Richardson. It was our pleasure to meet and talk to him in CA and then again in MA. 
Bill and Della

Our thoughts and prayers for the family..  May God give you the strength to get through tomorrow, and help you with your sadness..
Just think about the concert going on in heaven now..  Wow, what a show..
RIP JP..  <3

It was a privilege and a pleasure to have met Jay in Clovis and Clear Lake. R.I.P.

Thoughts and prayers to the family.  I enjoyed his performances at the Surf and will sure miss that wonderful smile.  He was a warm, gentle, loving person and will be missed by many.

It was with great sadness I heard of Jays passing here in the UK, the same sadness I had in 1959 of Japes passing ,hope you will both be at peace together

Devastated By the Passing of Jay,gone to Meet His Father at Last,Thankyou for the Memories,God Speed and White Lightning !!

Play those guitars and sing to the angels with love 
3 stars in heaven playing in the clouds up above
White lightni'n and that'll be the day 
Blue birds over the mountain but our birds flew away.
Jay I wrote these words in the corus of my song which I hoped to sing at your dads 55th anniversary at the surf ballroom 
Well Jay to the friend I spoke to but never met I think he will be made up having you there siting or rocking  beside him ,
In my song there were three stars in heaven but now my friend there are four 
And the title our Birds flew away a title I dedicate to you Jay,
I'm sorry I can't be there but my heart is with you and your loving familly and as you said to me on the phone when we spoke,
Good Night and God Bless.

John Cumberland (Durham England U,K)

Jay was our connection to the best that music had to offer in Northern Iowa.  We will miss his smile, laughter and voice.

I'll always remember Jay ,
As a kind man with a heart of gold .... 
Sending my thoughts and prayers to " The Richardson Family " .....

Jay was an awesome guy.  He was so happy to talk to every fan.  We are praying for the family.  God Bless to all.

I cried when his daddy died; and now I cry for him!  Two great talents...God Is Good!

I miss you Boppers!!!

Bob Hale

Thoughts and prayers to the family during this difficult time. I'm so glad I had the chance to have known Jay. He was such a great inspiration to many.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Richardson family during this difficult time. Jay was a warm and genuine person and we are so glad we had the opportunity to see and spend time with him during his trips to Laughlin and Las Vegas, NV. Jay, have fun catching up with your father, we know you've missed him. Us 'young people' as you used to call us, will keep this great music alive!

Hi Kevin. I'm very saddened about this news that a your father n law has passed. I just loved seeing those pics of JP with your little girl. I can't imagine what you must be going through. We are here for you. We will keep you in our prayers. We love you.
You're sister ~Janet Darling from Fowler,Ca.

Although we can't be with you while you remember your loved one, you're in our thoughts from afar.

I never got to meet Jay, but I did talk to him on the phone and I never will forget what he told me he said "Big Jeff when you sing Chantilly Lace be sure you sing it LOUD and PROUD". I will miss him.

Dear Jay,

Thank you for your kindnesss and friendliness the 2 times my wife Linda and I had the opportunity to meet you. While it can sometimes be a drag to have to meet with the fans, you always conducted yourself with kindness and dignity. You had a big handshake and a ready grin for the folks that wanted to meet you. As a father, I can tell you that your conduct with those around you would have made your Dad just as proud as the performances you gave. This is YOUR legacy to youf family. You did them proud.

I had the honour and pleasure of meeting Jay twice during his visits to England. He was a warm and courteous gentleman who was hugely enthusiastic about the musical legacy of his father and gave all of us a wonderful impression of the songs and talent of the Big Bopper. A thousand thanks Jay. Rest in peace.

May God hold Jay's entire family gently in His arms during this difficult time.
Sending thoughts and prayers your way from Clear Lake.. we all loved him here as well. He sure loved his family! I don't think I ever saw him without a smile.  God Bless you all!

Thank you for honouring your father's legacy by being a good man and fine entertainer. May you be reunited with your Dad forever.

Deepest condolences from Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. I got to meet Jay P in 2009 and 2010 and was looking forward to our next meeting. Giving you that picture of your father looking over your shoulder as you performed in Clearlake in February 2009 is something I am incredibly proud of. I'm glad I got to contribute at least one moment of happiness in your short life. Rest well with the angels.

R.I.P. Mr. Richardson,we will miss you,now you and your father can meet for the first time.

Saw this super friendly man at Willowbrook Ballroom near Chicago a few years ago with John Mueller.Just a real nice guy,talked to us like we knew him forever.I can only imagine that he was a mirror image of his father.Now their both together singing up a storm.What a loss at such a young age.

We first saw JP Jr. at the Willowbrook Ballroom near Chicago in 2000. And then each year after that, when he performed there & at the Surf in Clear Lake,IA.
He was an amazing and entertaining performer in his own right as he lovingly shared his memories & father's songs with the audience. May you continue to watch over your family,as your father wrote "Someone's watching over your tonight".  We will keep you in our prayers.

We had the pleasure of meeting JP and Patty through my friend Pearland Deb. We went to see the "The Winter Dance Party Show" in Vegas 2 years ago and it was Labor Day weekend. We would have never imagined that JP would have left us so soon.  He was such a warm friendly person. JP and his wife Patty were such a sweet couple. My heart goes out to Patty and her family because they will miss him so much. Your family is in our prayers during this time.

I'm known as Pearland Deb to JP. The family and our family have been closet friends for 12 years, JP always made sure we all get together Christmas Eve Day and have a good time, JP even gave me a Christmas card said how George my husband takes me to every show from Vegas to Iowa and Branson, yes I'm so glad my husband did this, I had time with my bestest friend and bestest family I will miss you so much and God bless my closest family. Luv You Debbie Griffith/Pearland Deb

We as a unit are greatly saddened by the loss of Mr. Jay Richardson.. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they go through this hard time. Please know that your 5 HVI family is there if you need anything.

Jay was a very good friend... and I will dearly miss him.

Billy Boyd,
Recall Records

"BOPPER" will be missed. On the last 2 WDP tours he was great.  Driving around the Midwest with he and Ray and John was a memorable experience.  Glad to have known you,  "Bopper".
               Jim Gelsimino     Modesto, Ca.

God bless. Prayers and thoughts are with your family. 
Mike Morris Lubbock, Texas

Always took a small group of friends to see the 50's Dance Party.  We've seen the show 5 or 6 times.  While Johnny and Ray are great, the nostalgic part of the show was the fact that J.P. was the REAL son of the Big Bopper.  What a tragic loss, not only to his wife, children and grandchildren, but to all of us that for which he kept the music alive because of his wonderful performance with Johnny and Ray. Godspeed to the "Final Bopper".

Dear Richardson family,
I was deeply saddened to learn of Jay's passing. While I never saw him perform, the reports I've heard and video clips I've seen are unanimous proof that he was truly a class act, both personally and professionally. Thanks to many loyal fans around the world, the music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper will always live on. May our loving Heavenly Father strengthen and comfort you with His tender mercies at this very difficult time (Isaiah 41:10).

I saw him in concert a few years ago near Sioux City, Iowa and really enjoyed all the wonderful music.  He's now with the Dad he never got to know.  May he rest in peace.  Julie Taylor (Sioux City, IA)

My deepest sympathies to the Richardson family. I met Jay at the Winter Dance Party in Windsor Ont. Canada back in 2004. He talked to me as if I was an old friend. I will always remember that and his wonderful performance...

Patty and family, praying for you. Patty, I wish I could be there for you. I will be there in thoughts and prayers. Jay was great guy, you two had a great love story. 
Cousin Barb

Thoughts and prayers to Jay's family. I had the wonderful opportunity of working with Jay in 2009 when we brought The Winter Dance Party to my casino. He was a great guy with a big heart! All our patrons loved him and he put a smile on everyone's face, including my own. We're all going to miss you, Jay!

Patty, Ashland, Jay, Thomas my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Seems like yesterday I was there laughing , enjoying and carrying on. As much as he'll be missed he again has led the way, no longer suffers from our earthly hindrances and will be there to greet all when the the Good Lord tells us it's our time. His love of life and caring spirit will live on in all of us but especially in all of you. I'm sure that is what he'd want. If things change and I can get out of NJ I will otherwise you know I'll be with you in Spirit. Love You All-----Ron

We will miss you very much. We saw you and the group at Lafayette, In last year. You all were wonderful. We thank you Jay for the memories and the love that showed from all of you.

Donna and Walter Marshall

I met Jay in Clear Lake, IA at the Surf Ballroom in 2009 during the 50th anniversary of his Father's passing.  I was privileged to see his commanding performance that night as he displayed the brown brief case that he left at the Surf.  Cousin Brucie Morrow emceed this event and I plan to regale that special moment on his Saturday Night Rock N Roll Party tonight on Sirius XM 60's on 6 channel.  May the family be comforted in knowing the love and respect that Jay found wherever he went.  He memorialized his Father in a way that no one else could--and yet humbly carried out his mission.  I wonder if the first words he spoke to his Father on 8/21 might have been "Helllllloooooooooo Baaaaaaaby" !?    or maybe ........"Daddy"!     Peace to all!

We send our prayers for the family at this sad time. It was a pleasure to have known Jay. Vicky Pickering and family, Bob Lapham and family - The Picks.

Rest in Peace Jay. Where all going to miss you

Dear :Patty and family, we had the great honor of meeting Jay on stage at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake Iowa in 1999 and what a wonderful performer and someone you call friend after you met him, He will be missed and his music as well, our thoughts and prayers go to you and your children and Thank you for letting the rest of us know this great man

OBITUARY

Jay P Richardson

28 April, 1959 – 21 August, 2013

Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery

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