Obituary for James Dennis Richards
RICHARDS, JAMES DENNIS, age 77, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Monday, January 8, 2024, at his home.
Funeral Services for Jim will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 6 p.m. The family will receive friends beginning at 4 p.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.
Jim was born March 1, 1946, in L’Anse, Michigan, the son of William and Merle (Gerard) Richards. He was a graduate of Graveraet High School with the class of 1964. Jim married Florence Hersha September 11, 1965, in Marquette. He earned his associate degree in criminal justice administration in 1995 from Mid-Michigan Community College, followed by his criminal justice bachelor's degree in 1997 from Concordia College. He began his career in 1975 with the Michigan Department of Corrections in Marquette as a corrections officer. In 1981, Jim was promoted to Sergeant; followed by Lieutenant in 1988. He was then transferred to the Corrections Camp Program at Camp Tuscola in Caro. Finally, he was transferred to the Mid-Michigan Correctional Facility in St. Louis as Captain in 1989. It was the St. Louis Facility where Jim retired from in December 2000.
Jim was an avid sports fan; he loved golfing and in younger years he coached and umpired for little league teams. He enjoyed spending time with his family, painting by number activities, playing on the computer, jigsaw puzzles, and woodworking. He was a lifelong member and past master councilor with the Fellowship Chapter of Marquette Order of DeMolay
Jim is survived by his wife, Florence Richards; daughter Lori Sue Johnson of Ionia; son Michael J. Richards of Mt. Pleasant; granddaughter Saoirse D. Johnson of Spartanburg, SC; sister Noreen Frederick of Skandia, MI; brother Dale (Beth) Richards of Belleville, IL; sisters-in-law Donna Walker of Edmore and Yvonne (Jim) Krellwitz of Ishpeming; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; son Jeffrey L. Richards; and son-in-law Steven Johnson.
Funeral Services for Jim will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 6 p.m. The family will receive friends beginning at 4 p.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.
Jim was born March 1, 1946, in L’Anse, Michigan, the son of William and Merle (Gerard) Richards. He was a graduate of Graveraet High School with the class of 1964. Jim married Florence Hersha September 11, 1965, in Marquette. He earned his associate degree in criminal justice administration in 1995 from Mid-Michigan Community College, followed by his criminal justice bachelor's degree in 1997 from Concordia College. He began his career in 1975 with the Michigan Department of Corrections in Marquette as a corrections officer. In 1981, Jim was promoted to Sergeant; followed by Lieutenant in 1988. He was then transferred to the Corrections Camp Program at Camp Tuscola in Caro. Finally, he was transferred to the Mid-Michigan Correctional Facility in St. Louis as Captain in 1989. It was the St. Louis Facility where Jim retired from in December 2000.
Jim was an avid sports fan; he loved golfing and in younger years he coached and umpired for little league teams. He enjoyed spending time with his family, painting by number activities, playing on the computer, jigsaw puzzles, and woodworking. He was a lifelong member and past master councilor with the Fellowship Chapter of Marquette Order of DeMolay
Jim is survived by his wife, Florence Richards; daughter Lori Sue Johnson of Ionia; son Michael J. Richards of Mt. Pleasant; granddaughter Saoirse D. Johnson of Spartanburg, SC; sister Noreen Frederick of Skandia, MI; brother Dale (Beth) Richards of Belleville, IL; sisters-in-law Donna Walker of Edmore and Yvonne (Jim) Krellwitz of Ishpeming; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; son Jeffrey L. Richards; and son-in-law Steven Johnson.