Harold Ray Richardson

Charlotte - Hal passed away August 12, 2013. He was born in Tallapoosa County, near Dadeville, Alabama, on April 17, 1916 to Henry Harvey and Willie Anthony Richardson. Hal graduated from Macon County High School, in Notasulga, Alabama.

He enlisted in the Army Air Force in December, 1941, immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After completing basic training at Keesler Field, Biloxi, MS, Hal was assigned to the 3rd Air Force Military Band after the recruiting sergeant discovered his musical background in clarinet. He was assigned to Morris Field, Charlotte, NC as Clarinetist 1st Class, from where he traveled to numerous military bases, including Hawaii, to entertain the troops. He met his soon to be wife, Martha, while singing in a concert at the base.

When the band was deactivated in 1944 he was sent to base headquarters at Morris Field, acting as head of Personnel Affairs. Later, Hal was transferred to Tintitan in the Pacific to open a personnel office for officers and enlisted personnel. When the war ended, he returned to the US and was discharged at Ft. Bragg, NC in December 1945.

In 1946, Hal was employed by J. O. Jones Clothing Company, Charlotte, NC, and was soon promoted to Assistant Manager and Vice President of Purchasing. After Mr. Jones passed away, Mrs. Jones asked Hal to represent her in the sale of J. O. Jones to Hart Schafner & Marx Clothing Company.

In 1949, having sold his share of J. O. Jones, he used some of the proceeds to open Selwyn Hardware & Gift Shop at the corner of Selwyn Ave. & Brandywine. Years passed when Hal recognized the growth in south Charlotte. He sold his store in 1954 to found and own Providence Hardware, located on Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte.

He was active in the National Retail Hardware Association as a member of the National Planning Committee for the US and Canada. He and his wife Martha and their daughters made many trips to the US and Canadian major cities for national conventions, and was selected to make a speech to the convention in Montreal, Canada related to his decision to move to a new and larger hardware store in Charlotte.

Hal also served as President of the Hardware Association of the Carolinas from 1967 to 1970, where he played a major role in helping area hardware stores stay completive in the market.

Hal sold Providence Hardware in 1979 to spend most of his time at his summer home in Blowing Rock, NC, and the winter months in Naples, Florida, where he spent much of his time pursuing his lifetime passion of golf. He was a past member of Bear’s Paw Country Club in Naples, Florida. He was also a past member of the Blowing Rock Country Club, where he served on the Board of Governors, the Long Range Planning committee, and held the position of Chairman of the Golf Course Membership Committee. Hal was an active member of Charlotte Country Club for over sixty years, serving on various committees.

He was one of the founders of the Myers Park and Cotswold Civitan Clubs, and served as President, and on the Board of Directors of the latter. He was also a founder of the Myers Park Little League, where he served as coach and manager.

Hal was a long-time devoted member of Myers Park Baptist Church, where he sang in the Church Choir. He also sang tenor in the Charlotte Choral Society. He was a Charter member of the Charlotte City Club, and a member of the Young Democrats of North Carolina. He served on Harry Truman’s Inaugural Committee in 1949.

He married Martha Blythe in October, 1942, who preceded him in death in April, 1998. Hal is survived by four children: Harold Ray (Rick) Richardson, Jr., of Charlotte; David Blythe Richardson, of Greenville, SC; Lane Richardson Butler, of Longview, TX; and Jane Richardson Wurst, of Charlotte; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Hal’s children will cherish memories of “Papa’s” lifelong love of Jazz and Big Band music, golf, and especially his love of his wife, Martha, and family.

A Family Graveside Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Sharon Memorial Park.

A memorial service to celebrate Hal's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, August 15, 2013 in the Chapel of Harry and Bryant, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care - Charlotte Region, or the Music Ministry of Myers Park Baptist Church.