James Elliott Richards

James Elliott Richards, 89 years old passed on Friday, December 3, 2021 peacefully at home. He was native of Clinton, Indiana and resident of Baton Rouge and until recent years also had a residence in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. He served an active military career as a US Army Aviation Signal Corps Officer. Retired in April of 1975 as a Lieutenant Colonel serving over 20 years which included 3 tours of duty in the Vietnam Conflict and 1 tour in Korea. He earned numerous medals for his extraordinary heroism while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States specifically the Distinguished Flying Cross for single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the UH-1 “Huey” Helicopter for the Vietnam conflict, numerous Bronze Star Medals, The Air Medal and many other medals and awards. He was specifically trained in crash injury and aircraft accident investigation for the OV-1 Mohawk, a turboprop aircraft along with fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. LTC Richards developed training films and education for helicopter school, flew surveillance missions and held various squadron and platoon command posts during his military tenure and in his early military career he served as a test pilot for many aircraft to include the CH-47 Chinook, among the heaviest lifting of Western helicopters. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Alabama where he was active in the ROTC, Captain of the Track Team, and played football. He was alternate to the XV Olympiad (1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki). He also earned a Master’s degree in education administration from the University of Maryland. Following Jim’s Army Career, he worked in career planning and placement for Tally and Associates, District Manager of Morgan Building systems, and concluded his second career retiring as the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Director. Some of the organizations Jim was a member of included the Downtown Baton Rouge Lion’s Club; the American Legion Boyd-Ewing Post 58 (Baton Rouge), the MOAA (Military Officers Association), the University of Alabama A-Club Alumnae; and University Baptist Church. Jim lived an incredible life, traveled the world with Eloise and cherished his time with family. Sports, fishing and boating were some of his favorite past times. LTC Richards was preceded in death by the love of his life, Mary Eloise Moore Richards, his wife of 60 years, his beloved son James E. Richards, Jr., sister-in-law Carol Richards and his parents Thomas Edward Richards and Thelma Edna Richards Mulhearn. He is survived by his daughters Reverend Karen Richards Gay (spouse, John Fleming Gay) of Plaquemine Louisiana, Allison Richards Gerron (spouse, Dennis Gerron) of Dallas, Texas and Suzy Richards Massey (spouse, James Allen Massey) of Charlotte, North Carolina; his brother, William Richards of Munster, Indiana; grandchildren Lauren Richards Gay, Dr. Sarah Smart Gay Frischhertz (Patrick Arthur Frischhertz), Jane Reily Gay Fields (Douglas Jeffrey Fields), Katherine Fenner Gay, James Allen Massey, Jr (Martha Elizabeth Fowler Massey), Mary Claire Massey, and Rachael Mariah Gerron; and Great grandchildren Elliott Gay Frischhertz, Carolyn “Carrie” Gay Fields, Sophie Levy Frischhertz, Elise Jane Fields, and Eloise James Massey and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank and recognize friends and neighbors Dwayne and Adrian Bergeron for their longterm friendship and care, Dr. Doris and Richard Truman, Joe Cefalu and his caregivers: Kourtney Davenport and Ann Cain who lovingly cared for Jim during his last weeks; nurses, Jamie, Hermosa, Ingrid and Mary Alice; along with Suzy, his Aid from St. Joseph’s Hospice. Reverend Andy Hale will be officiating services to be held 10:00 am, Saturday, December 11, 2021 at University Baptist Church, 5775 Highland Road with burial following at Green Oaks Cemetery, 9595 Florida Blvd., in Baton Rouge. Visitation will be held in the church at 9:00 a.m. prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: University Baptist Church, 5775 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808; the American Legion Boyd-Ewing Post 58 (Baton Rouge) P. O. Box 84956, Baton Rouge, LA 70810; the University of Alabama A-Club Alumni Association, PO Box 870353, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0353 or the charity of your choice.