JAMES GILBERT RICHARDSON

Former Valley resident James “Jim” Gilbert Richardson, 77, entered Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his beloved wife of 21 years, Dawn Eileen Richardson, on May 27, 2010. Surrounded by family and friends, Mr. Richardson died peacefully at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, of cardiovascular disease.

A funeral will be held at Birch Harbor Baptist Church, Mile 5 Knik-Goose Bay Road, at 1 a.m. July 2, and will be conducted by Pastor Jeff Offord. A graveside service with military honors at Fort Richardson will follow.

“I believe in the cross and the blood of Jesus Christ and I know where I am going when I die,” he wrote before his death. “Having my wife in heaven is another reason why I am looking forward to going there. ‘There’s only one life t’will soon be passed and only what’s done for Christ will last.’”

Mr. Richardson was born Oct. 10, 1932, in Longview, Texas. In 1949, he graduated from Beaumont High School and started college at Lamar University, majoring in architecture. He then served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, from October 1950 to October 1953.

Mr. Richardson chose training in construction in the Marines and continued a career in construction and painting until retirement. He first came to Alaska as a missionary in 1954 at the age of 21. He homesteaded in Willow along the Kashwitna River in the late 1950s.

Mr. Richardson enjoyed many hobbies. He loved art, acrylic and oil painting, gardening, fishing, hunting and antique collecting. His favorite pastime was singing and leading music. Very generous with his spare time, he volunteered for many worthwhile organizations. His recent favorites were Victory Bible Camp, Alaska Prison Ministries and the Mat-Su Miners.

“Jim will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, adventurous spirit, positive outlook and his ability to see all strangers as potential friends,” his loved ones wrote.

Mr. Richardson was preceded in death by his wife, Dawn Eileen; parents, Jiles Perry and Elsie Bernice, and brothers, J.P. and Cecil Allen.

He is survived by his son, Robert Joshua “R.J.”; daughters, Maryellen and Heather ”Shade”; sons-in-law, Christopher and Roy; granddaughters, Sierra, Lena and Sonja; numerous members of the extended Richardson family, and his own special little firecracker of a Pomeranian, Steve.