James Force

James Carey Richardson, III was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 23, 1944 to his parents, James Carey Richardson, II and Louise Lillian Richardson. He was raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, where he spent most of his childhood. During his childhood, he often went roller-skating and he loved bowling and playing basketball. His father was removed from his life at an early age, so he was mainly raised by his mother Louise (Lillian) Richardson. His mother Louise Griffin later remarried and conceived a child by the name of Jo Ellyn Griffin. James’ mother Louise often told him that it was a blessing that he was born first and that it was meant to be. She often said that James was born first to protect his sister. In his senior year of high school, he became a caddy at the local golf course making tips. Due to difficulties with his home life and dreams of leaving his small-town home, he dropped out of high school as a high school senior and joined the United States Airforce in approximately 1961. James went through basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. He often talked about how difficult basic training was in the heat of the Texas sun, but there was a silver lining. James met Annie Lucille McDavid in San Antonio, Texas at Fort Sam Houston. They spent a lot of their time together as he went through basic training. On Oct 23, 1965, James married Annie Lucille McDavid at True Holiness Pentecostal Church. After basic training, James worked as a warehouseman for the United States Air Force, where he learned to operate a forklift for the United States Air Force. During his lifetime, he mentioned that this was very arduous work and wasn’t something that he enjoyed doing, so he decided to switch careers in 1966. He was honorably discharged at that time. James worked several jobs after getting out of the Air Force. He worked at Alamo Iron Works, where he lifted steel while they sawed it for the refrigerators. Then, he worked for Alamo Frozen Foods, sorting and carrying boxes for production. He even worked at a pharmaceutical company. However, one of the greatest achievements that he had during this time was having a daughter by the name of Andrea Yvette Richardson on Oct. 27, 1966. He later returned to the United States Air Force in 1966 in a much less stressful position in the communications field. His wife later conceived Sharon Michelle Richardson on October 8, 1967, adding yet another great achievement to his life. After having two daughters, he decided to attend Air University in the Air Force, where he passed the noncommissioned officer academic course, noncommissioned officer leadership course, and even the communications center specialist course eventually earning him the rank of Tech Sergeant in the United States Air Force. As a Tech Sergeant he worked as a Communications Specialist. He earned his cryptographic access certificate in 1969. He received several certificates of recognition from the Zero Defects Program for having a less than 1% error rate in communication and decoding, as well as several certificates of recognition for outstanding contributions and professionalism in processing USAF electrically transmitted messages. In 1972 he earned a commendation medal for meritorious service. There was a citation to accompany the award for the commendation that reads as follows: “James C. Richardson distinguished himself by meritorious service as a Send/Receive Aisle Supervisor, 1876th Communication Squadron, Tan on Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, from April 28, 1971 to April 20, 1972, during this period, Sergeant Richardson’s outstanding professional skill and initiative aided immeasurably in identifying and solving numerous problems encountered in the accomplishment of his duties. The energetic application of his knowledge has played a significant role in the success of the United States Air Force mission in Southeast Asia. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Richardson reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Through the late 1960s and 70s, he continued this role. However, he also spent time at home when he could to take care of his children. When possible, he would often attend and help coach bowling practices for his two daughters. He also attended all softball and baseball games for his daughter, while helping to provide a comfortable home life. When he wasn’t at home, he was touring with the United States Air Force. He toured Hawaii, Turkey, and Vietnam. The family traveled with him as closely as they could but stayed in California through most of the children’s elementary and middle school years. The family eventually moved to Colorado in the early 1980s, where the children went to high school. James also took several accounting courses while in the military and after the military at the Community College of Aurora. James retired from the military in 1984. He then started working as a security guard for KOA radio, where he worked for several years. In the early 2000’s, James retired from the workforce. On January 14, 1994, James became the proud grandfather of De’ Andre Rashawn Richardson, his first grandchild. He spent a lot of time watching over and taking care of his grandson. He often attended his grandson’s karate practices and sporting events also. James was preceded in death by his parents, James Carey Richardson, II and Louise Lillian Richardson, and his sister, Jo Ellyn Griffin. James himself passed away on July 8, 2018 at University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado surrounded with love and compassion. James leaves behind his wife, Annie Richardson; his daughters, Andrea Richardson and Sharon Richardson; and his grandson, De’Andre Richardson; several nieces and nephews, as well as so many others whose lives he has touched in incredible and remarkable ways

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell - 6601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO
Visitation: 7/18/2018 at 9:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 7/18/2018 at 10:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 7/18/2018 at 1:15:00 PM - Ft. Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 7/18/2018 - Pipkin Braswell - 6601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO