James Franklin Richardson, CMSgt USAF (Retired), age 92 of San Antonio, Texas passed away on April 20, 2021. Jim was born on November 30, 1928 to James Albert Richardson and Helen Fair Jackson who both passed away when he was very young. Jim was raised by his uncle, C. B. Richardson and his aunt, Mary Alice Richardson who are responsible for the man he became.
Jim was born in Murray, Kentucky. He graduated high school from Murray Training School (now Murray State University). He was in the Future Farmers of America. He also lettered in four sports – basketball, track, swimming and tennis. He was most proud of his accomplishments in basketball. One of his fondest memories was of his Uncle Willie, who attended every game, on the sidelines shouting “Run Jimmy Frank! Run!”
He joined the Air Force in 1948 with his best friend Riley Mohan (currently residing in Paris, Tennessee). From Paris Tennessee to Paris France, Jim began his Air Force career at Lackland AFB in San Antonio TX. He was stationed in Wichita Falls TX, Germany, France, Amarillo TX, Tripoli Libya North Africa, Plattsburg NY, Saigon Vietnam, Alamogordo NM, Honolulu HI, Thailand and Austin TX. Jim was the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the Finance center at many Air Force bases in the second half of his career. While stationed in Hawaii, Jim was the Hickam Air Force Base nominee for Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. He retired from active duty in 1976.
Jim took many college courses during his active duty career in the Air Force. After retiring, he attended the University of Texas at Austin. He graduated in May of 1978 with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in Finance. Graduating alongside his daughter Sherry, they walked the stage to receive their diplomas one right after the other. Hook ‘em Horns!
After graduation from UT, Jim joined the Air Force Civil Service at Randolph AFB in San Antonio TX as a GS14 and retired at Brooks AFB in San Antonio TX when he was 70. He was the oldest person working on Brooks when he retired.
Jim is preceded in death by his first wife Lovenia Louise Williams who passed away in 1986. He later married Betty Smith and they were married until she passed away in 2012. He is survived by his daughters, Sherry Richardson, Laura Allen (Chris); step-children, Michael Campbell (Nancy), Cathy Neville (Richard), Sherri Aparicio; grandchildren, Emily Allen, Abigail Allen, Eve Slaughter (Justin), Gigi Boothe, James Campbell (Angela), Alyson Serbousek (Nic), Alexandra Neville (Matt), Ricky Neville (Kelly), Jordan Neville; great-grandchildren, Reid Slaughter, Drew Slaughter, Lane Slaughter, Evan Slaughter, Landon Serbousek, Harper Serbousek, James Campbell Jr.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P. M. Friday, May 28th at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio.
