Earl McKinley Richardson

Earl M. "Rich" Richardson, 70, of Sunnyside, went to be with the Lord Sunday, February 16, 2014 with his family by his side. Rich was born on Mach 19, 1943 in Butler, Tennessee to Roby & Hazel Richardson.

Rich grew up in Stoney Creek, Tennessee. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy for four years. In 1962, he moved to Maywood, California and worked in Sales for the Roper Corporation. In 1965, he met the love of his life, Madonna J. Boucher. The two moved to Yakima and were married at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on September 10, 1966. He worked for Standard Paint, at each of the stores from Ellensburg to Tri-Cities. He was a master at his craft. People would come specifically to see him as they knew there wasn't a paint chip he couldn't match or a question he couldn't answer for their various projects. Longtime customers turned into friends. After 43 years of service, he retired from the Yakima store in September of 2011.

Rich was a wonderful, kind-hearted husband, Dad and Papaw. He was always involved and supportive in everything his family did. His joys were spending his days with his "dream girl", reminiscing over the numerous family camping trips, the tall-tales told by the campfire and swimming in the backyard pool. He loved seeing his children grow into adults and start families of their own. He took great pride in all of their accomplishments. All of his grandchildren, "his little rascals, were the lights of his life, but Jacob, his "biggest- littlest," as Papaw would say, held an extra special place in his heart. He was like a third son to Rich.

Rich is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Madonna; son Ron (Amie) Richardson of Yakima, daughter Lisa (Mark) Dunken of Coeur d’Alene, son Randy (Sara) Richardson of Selah, daughter Lori (Wes) Brulotte of Selah and seven grandchildren; Jacob Richardson, Will and Ellie Richardson, Peyton Brulotte, Bailey Richardson, Vivian Paterson, Suzanne Englund, great-grandson Dunken Paterson and his brother Ron "Cotton" (Shirley) Richardson of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 212 North 4th Street, Yakima, WA on Saturday, February 22, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.

He was preceded in death by his parents Roby and Hazel Richardson.