Elbert Richardson

Elbert Richardson, Jr. was born on August 10, 1927, in Dallas, Texas to his parents, Elbert Richardson, Sr. and Lula Anne Templeton. Elbert was the six child born in the family; his siblings remember him always competing with his peers to be number one in everything he did. As a child, he loved to sit and listen to the stories of the past that his grandmother would share. Elbert attended school in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Area. On January 22, 1946, Elbert entered the military by joining the United States Air Force. From his youth, Elbert longed for a change of scenery and in 1946, he moved to Colorado. Moving to a new place, he would have to rely on faith and hard work. His faith and hard work were lessons he would always remember, as he would serve out the rest of his life in the service of Christ as a Senior Deacon at the Graham Memorial Community Church of God in Christ where he was a member for almost 30 years. He faithfully served to the glory of the Lord. Elbert was an entrepreneur who had a heart for the residents of Denver. As the owner of a Five Points Night Club "Big Al's", "A Gift Shop Maria's" and multiple real estate properties in and around the Five Points area, Elbert was instrumental in establishing the Annual Five Points Juneteenth Celebration, and throwing extravagant birthday parties. He held charity events during Thanksgiving and Christmas... giving away cash, food, and gifts to the underprivileged neighborhood families, to include his own family members and friends. He was a voice at many public discussions, speaking out on a variety of issues that touched the black communities. He wanted people of color to create businesses and to prosper. He held different official roles in the Five Points Businessmen Association, and was a member of multiple Mayors' special committees. In the 1990's, he was part of a small group of business owners who were involved in the urban renewal efforts of the Five Points Historical District and surrounding areas. During that time, he strongly supported and helped to spearhead the discussions around establishing a RTD light rail route through the historic district. The hope was that the rail would bring in revenue and new business opportunities to a then declining area. He was given special recognition by the Denver Police Department and several Denver Mayors for his activism and other endeavors. We celebrate the illustrious and colorful life of Five Points legend, Elbert "Big Al" Richardson, Jr. He was not only a sharp dresser, shrewd businessman and property owner; he was a community leader, philanthropist and activist. His civic work helped to introduce an ingenious assortment of historical memories, traditions, and events that will be well remembered into the future. Elbert was loved and he will be greatly missed. Elbert was preceded in death by his children; Jeanette, Rosalyn, Christopher; his parents, Elbert Richardson, Sr. and Lula Anne Richardson; his siblings, Barbara, Willie Ester, Franklin, Milton, Maurice, Charles and Wilma. Elbert "Big Al" Richardson, Jr. took his flight to eternity into the embrace of the Lord from Denver, Colorado on October 26, 2016. He was loved and honored most by his family, his wife: Priscilla and Trusted Companion: Maria; his children: Countenette, Larry, Marvin, Kenneth (Alice), Theressa (Ken), Jacqueline (Melvin), Denise, Lucretia (Anthony), Monique, Ronnie, Athena, Elbert, III (Keysha), LaTonia (Lonnie), Tori, LaVonn, Raynette, Rosi, his parents, Elbert Richardson, Sr. and Lula Anne Templeton; his siblings, Princess, Mary, Sylvia, Hammond, Curniest; and god-daughter Leisa (Daryl); a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 11/2/2016 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 11/3/2016 at 11:00 AM The procession will be down Welton Street beginning at 10 am. Odom Memorial Church of God in Christ - 3301 Williams Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 11/4/2016 - Fort Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 11/3/2016 - Following the service... Zion Senior Center - 5151 E 33rd Ave, Denver, CO