SFC (Ret) Carl Edward Richardson

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 pm Friday, September 5, 2014 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 3801 Cunningham Road, Killeen 76542 (new location corner of Cunningham and Elms) following a light lunch. Pastor Ray A. Zischang will officiate. Burial will follow at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen where his family and friends will lay him to rest with full military honors.

Mr. Richardson was born January 21, in Poplar Bluff, MO, the son of Osmon Marion and Jessie May Shawn Richardson.

He was married to the love of his life, Maria Hildegard Laszat of East Prussia, Germany in Salzburg, Austria.

In 1942, he joined the U.S. Army. He completed 25 years of active service working mainly in the medical field. His awards and distinctions include but are not limited to the WWII Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, two bronze Battle Participation Stars, Meritorious Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars, Good Conduct Medal Clasp, Silver, two loops.

Carl completed 20 years of civil service at Darnall Army Hospital until his full retirement in July, 1990.

Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Hilde; children: Martha and husband Harry Russell of Battle Ground, WA; Ed and wife Georgene Richardson of Baton Rouge, LA; Rita and husband Charles Gaskamp of Brenham, TX; grandchildren: Sean and wife Desiree Russell of San Jose, CA, Karl Edward and wife Jennifer Richardson of Gonzales, LA, Matt and wife Misty Richardson of Baton Rouge, LA, Dana Gaskamp of Cedar Park, TX and Derek Gaskamp of Houston, TX. He is also survived by a brother, Donald Richardson of Poplar Bluff, MO; in-laws Traute Adler and husband Walter of Eschweiler, Germany and Ruth Dallagio of Bologna, Italy, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Victor and Emma Laszat Pruszinski, sister, Frances Richardson Whittaker, brother, Ralph Richardson, brothers-in-law Kurt Pruszinski and Marino Dallagio.

Carl cherished the time he served in his retirement as a Volunteer for the Texas Department on Aging; Road to Recovery Cancer driver, C.O.P.S; Harker Heights Library Board; Harker Heights Friends of the Library. Carl was an avid reader and tinkerer.

Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church building fund.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Crawford Bowers Funeral Home, 1615 S Fort Hood Street, Killeen, TX 76542.