Gary Richardson

Graveside services and interment with military honors for Gary Neil Richardson, age 73, will be at 2 p.m Sunday January 3 at Zion Cemetery in Jackson County. Greg Canada will officiate. Gary passed away Wednesday December 30, 2020 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center due to complications from COVID-19. He was born June 6, 1947 in Ypsilanti, MI to the late Arthur and Gladys Simpkins Richardson. Gary was a decorated Vietnam veteran having served in the US Army from 1967 to 1969 as a Staff Sergeant (E6) as a member of the medical corp. He was proud of his service to his country. He was a member of Central City Church. He also enjoyed his church life group family and his beloved Friday morning men’s prayer group. Gary knew all of his neighbors by name and served each of them by checking on their wellbeing, picking up roadside trash, and making sure there were no trespassers on the farm or in the valley. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to collect firearms and pocketknives, hunt for deer, and fish. Gary made sure his grandsons appreciated his love of the outdoors by purchasing for them at birth their own Tennessee lifetime sportsman license. He also volunteered his time for many years by educating others in the Hunter Safety Course with the TWRA. He was a salesman by profession with his last job as an AFLAC representative. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judy Ann (Gaw) Richardson whom he married September 2, 1966; a daughter and son-in law, Jennifer and Greg Mabry; two grandsons, Wyatt and Luke Mabry; two brothers, Herman (Kathy) Richardson, Randall (Carol) Richardson; and sister-in-law, Peggy Richardson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Danny Richardson. The family wants to send a personal thank you to the many nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, and nurse’s aides who took tireless care of dad during the 26 days he was hospitalized. A special thank you to Mary Lou Fornehed, Dr. Patel, Tiffany Hall, RN, Lauren Patch, RN, and the nurses of 6E. Memorial contributions may be made by mail to the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing Fund, Tennessee Tech University, Campus Box 1915, 705 N. Dixie Ave., Cookeville, TN 38501-9921. Gifts may be also made online at www.tntech.edu/giving. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com