Max Arlen Richardson

Max Arlen Richardson, 93, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025, in Liberty, Missouri.

Max was born on August 11th, 1931, in the family home near Stanberry, Missouri, to Merritt Russell Richardson and Eldora Rae Richardson. Max’s elementary education was in a one room schoolhouse. He claimed his mother pointed in the direction of the school and said, “walk that way”, which, Max also claimed was up hill two miles each way. Max claimed his first memory was that of his sister Rosayn being born on the kitchen table which later that evening is where they had dinner.

Max graduated from Stanberry High School in 1949. After working for family in South Dakota for about two years and hitchhiking back and forth to northern Missouri from time to time, Max enlisted in the Navy in 1950. He spent four years in the Navy during the Korean War (1950-1954) and left with an honorable discharge. He then enrolled at the University of Missouri in Columbia for two years and studied Architectural Engineering. He then moved to Kansas City and became co-owner and head of sales at Tire Supply Co. in downtown Kansas City. His career spanned over 40 years. Max enjoyed his career and co-workers and the many people he met along the way. He retired at the age of 68.

Max was always wanting to learn. He would spend most days after his retirement if not golfing, visiting the local library. When he was in his mid-seventies, he enrolled in the local community college to take computer classes.

Max was an avid golfer and loved golfing. He had several holes in one over his many decades of playing. There were also a few lights and hanging lamps in the house that had succumbed to his practice swings over the years as well, much to the dismay of our mom. Max played as long as he could and finally stopped around the age of 90.

Max was a man that knew no stranger. He loved life and the endless possibilities that it could bring.

Max is preceded in death by his parents, Merritt and Eldora Richardson; wife, Billie Richardson; sister, Dorothy “Dottie” Sue Stevens; stepdaughter, Lori Griffis (Borgman); and nephew, James Russell Curry.

He is survived by his children and step-children, Cathy Borgman, Amy Cummins (Borgman) and husband Brant, Doug Borgman, Stephen Richardson and wife Brianne Richardson; eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren all from the Kansas City area, his sister, Rosayn Curry (Richardson); nieces, Lynn Kurth (Curry), Robin Arnold(Curry); and her two daughters, Elena Arnold and Mariel Arnold, all of Austin, Texas.

A Celebration Of Life for Max will be held Wednesday, April 2, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, Missouri, 64119.