Jimmy Richardson Obituary

Jimmy Alexander Richardson

Jimmy Richardson, Colonel (retired) USAF, went to join the Lord in heaven on February 24, 2026 in Albuquerque, NM. He was born on April 30, 1935 in upper Lancaster County, SC to parents Harold and Iris Richardson.

Jimmy was the first of the family's 5 children. The farm produced crops and livestock, and two of young Jimmy's happiest days were in 1945 when a Ford tractor replaced the mules and horses, and in 1947 when ten Jersey milk cows replaced growing 10 acres of cotton as a cash crop.

Jimmy graduated Indian Land High School as valedictorian of his 14-member class, having played basketball, baseball and quarterbacking the football team his senior year. He attended Clemson A&M College, earning a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering with high honors, and in 1957 was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the USAF.

The second week of June 1959 he was awarded his USAF pilot wings, was promoted to First Lieutenant, and married his bride, Celia Crook. He served a distinguished 39-year career as a helicopter pilot and nuclear research officer with the USAF and Sandia National Laboratory.

Jimmy's dear wife and soulmate for 61 years died after a severe stroke on Sept 17, 2020. Jimmy is survived by his sisters, Norma Johnson of Greenville, SC, and Merrilyn Long of Summerville, SC; daughter Jill (Pete) Narushof of Albuquerque, son Joe (Suzy) of Salida, CO, daughter-in-law Donna Hayden of Los Alamos, NM, son Harold (Celeste) of Denver, CO; and grandchildren Ben and Becca Narushof, Haylee Hayden, Sam and Alex Richardson. Twin sister Floy died in June 2022 and brother Gene died in Jan 2025.

Jimmy was an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church since 1979. He served his church as a Sunday School teacher and on many committees both in the local church and in the New Mexico Annual Conference. His life will be remembered and celebrated at a memorial service at 3:00 PM on April 9, 2026 at Asbury UMC, 10,000 Candelaria Road in Albuquerque. Cremation has taken place and interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, VA at a later date. If desired, donations may be made to Asbury UMC, 10,000 Candelaria Road, Albuquerque, NM 87112.