James Curtis Richardson passed away peacefully at Rosewood Manor Rest Home in Harwich, MA on September 18, 2022. He was the second son born to Willie Richardson, Sr. and Pecolia (Sanders) Richardson in Tuscaloosa, AL on November 2, 1925. Jim’s earliest education occurred at a neighborhood home-based preschool affectionately known as ­­­­the “Rhoda Ward University High School,” and it was there that his love of learning was initially fostered. An eager intellectual from the start, at the age of four, he begged his mother to let him walk the 17 blocks to Central Elementary School to begin his formal education. She reluctantly agreed and set him on a course of lifelong educational pursuit. Jim attended Industrial High School, where he honed his literary skills and excellent memory by reciting poetry; his favorite poem being “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe. After graduating early with honors, he was sent to the ROTC program at Tuskegee Institute for a year before enrolling at Hampton Institute, specializing in Cabinetmaking/Carpentry.  Afterwards, he served valiantly as a U.S. Army paratrooper in one of the country’s first integrated units, the 188^th Airborne, under President Harry S. Truman during the Korean War.
 
Prior to his graduation and military service, Jim pursued a furniture-making internship at the John P. Widdicomb Furniture Company in Grand Rapids, MI. Organized by the local Urban League, this internship afforded him the opportunity to break the color barrier in the furniture industry by being the first African-American skilled craftsman at the company. While in Grand Rapids, he stayed busy learning and helping others, working as an orderly at the Mary Free Bed Children’s Hospital while obtaining a degree in Furniture Design from the Kendall School of Art and Design. However, Jim’s most important accomplishment in Grand Rapids was finding and marrying the love of his life, Elsie Slocum. They were married at St. Phillips Episcopal Church on April 25, 1956. Shortly after moving to St. Louis, MO, he became a woodshop instructor and Track/Cross Country coach at Hadley Technical High School (later Vashon High School).
 
In order to better understand his underprivileged students from the infamous Pruitt-Igoe housing project, Jim decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Western Michigan University, which uncovered his true calling: that of a High School Guidance Counselor.  He was known to go the extra mile for his students, a trait which impressed the headmaster of Phillips Academy in Andover, MA and in 1971, he was offered the job of College Counselor for their Summer Session. For the next 17 years, every summer was spent counseling students from around the world and creating lasting friendships and close relationships with many college admissions directors. It was also during this time that he and the family discovered Cape Cod. It became a favorite vacation spot, and eventually his and Elsie’s place of retirement. Topping off an illustrious career in counseling, Jim returned to his ROTC roots and spent his final 12 years of counseling at the Cleveland Naval Junior ROTC Academy, an innovative public magnet school. He took great pride in the discipline and structure of the Academy and was overjoyed to send some of his most talented cadets to the Naval ROTC program at his beloved Hampton University.
 
 
Jim’s Christian faith was always a large part of his life. His early childhood religious instruction was in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, a spiritual foundation that continued to his last days. He enjoyed attending mandatory chapel services at Hampton and sang in the Airborne Choir while in the Army. In Grand Rapids, he was an active member of St. Phillips Episcopal Church, singing in the church choir as well as serving as the leader of the Boy Scout troop. In St. Louis, he and Elsie found a church home at Trinity Episcopal Church and he was active in every area of church life: Sunday School teacher, Usher, Vestry member, and Coordinator of the Food Bank. After serving for 42 years, he and Elsie moved to South Yarmouth and were ecstatic to find a like-minded, service-oriented congregation at St. David’s Episcopal Church. Jim served faithfully there, actively participating in the weekly Bible study discussions, helping stock the Food Bank, as well as expressing his love of nature by volunteering to do yardwork and groundskeeping for many years.
 
In retirement, Jim finally had time to pursue his many hobbies and spent countless hours painting, sketching, and taking photographs. But even after 35 years of dedicated counseling, he wasn’t done; he continued to mentor young people on the Cape well into his eighties. Like the Pied Piper, he attracted young people everywhere he went and guided and encouraged them to pursue higher education and reach their highest potential.
 
In the final months of his life, Jim was lovingly cared for at the Rosewood Manor Rest Home in Harwich, MA. Ever the counselor, while there, he was known to advise and counsel the staff on working hard and saving their money. To the very end, he used his gifts to help others.
 
Left to cherish his loving memory are his wife of 66 years, Elsie (Slocum) Richardson, sons Jamel Richardson (Tracey) and Terrence Richardson (Mary), daughter Carla Lambert (R. Andrew), granddaughter Brittany Lambert, nephews Curtis Richardson, Donald Jeffries, Gary Buzzell (Debbie), and Michael Buzzell (Donna), nieces Virginia Mitchell (Larry) and Melinda Castonguay, as well as countless other family members, friends, and former students — his “adopted” children.
Jim is predeceased by his parents, brothers Willie, Jr. and Charles, and sister Margie.
 
We mourn our physical loss, but truly Jim’s legacy lives on in the many lives he touched. May we all strive to be such an example of a Life Well-Lived.
 
 The memorial service will be Friday, October 28, 2022 at 11:00am at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 205 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth, MA 02664. Please visit the online link at Ihttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2IH46geG5Ui7yhmzCngEvg

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. David’s Episcopal Church in his honor: https://www.stdavidscapecod.org/donate-index-impact
 

 
 
 
Acknowledgments
 
We, the family of James C. Richardson, wish to acknowledge the many kind and beautiful expressions of sympathy and love during this time of bereavement.
We want to especially thank the staff of Rosewood Manor Rest Home and Broad Reach Hospice for their excellent love and care in Jim’s final days.
May the blessing of God be with you all.
 

Mr. Richardson a kind compassionate high school counselor. Blessed to know this kind soul. Condolences to his family.

Thank you for the faith you had in me, for encouraging me to strive and for sending me to Albion. You set my feet on the path that inspired me and changed my life. How lucky your family and all that you touched were to have you in our live. Rest now.

Mr. Richardson was one of a kind. He was my parent's friend. I think they met at Hampton. I don't think he missed a Saturday morning visit through our back door when your family lived in St. Louis. My parents missed him, and your family when you moved. Even though he is no longer with you on earth, I guarantee you will continue to hear his voice forever. I still do.

Vashon Class of 1974 As a student in the Co-Op Program, where we attended the O'Fallon Technical Center for half of the school day, I was blessed to have him as my counselor. I referred to him as my “2nd Daddy” because he and my father often "collaborated" to make sure that I was receiving the proper training--like the time that Mr. Richardson put me in a Calculus class 10 weeks after it had started, when he found out that I had been assigned to study hall. He always said that everything was going on in those classes except for studying. When I reminded him that the class had been going on for 10 weeks, he told me that I would catch up. When reviewing my grades for that class, I only have 3 instead of 4--all Bs. Thank you Mr. Richardson Peace and Blessings to the Family

Vashon Class of 1974 As a student in the Co-Op Program, where we attended the O'Fallon Technical Center for half of the school day, I was blessed to have him as my counselor. I referred to him as my “2nd Daddy” because he and my father often "collaborated" to make sure that I was receiving the proper training--like the time that Mr. Richardson put me in a Calculus class 10 weeks after it had started, when he found out that I had been assigned to study hall. He always said that everything was going on in those classes except for studying. When I reminded him that the class had been going on for 10 weeks, he told me that I would catch up. When reviewing my grades for that class, I only have 3 instead of 4--all Bs. Thank you Mr. Richardson Peace and Blessings to the Family

The link for livestream viewing of the service can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2IH46geG5Ui7yhmzCngEvg

The link for livestream viewing of the service can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2IH46geG5Ui7yhmzCngEvg

Many of us on the Vashon High School track team referred to him as "Daddy Richardson" because of his caring and yet firm way of communicating with us. I am so grateful that he was an influence in my life.

I will always remember Mr. Richardson from Vashon High school. He was my counselor and even when I didnt believe in myself he did. HE Always was a kind-hearted , caring man. I wish we had more people in the world like him. Thanks Mr. Richardson for ALL you have done for me during my high school years at Vashon. YOU will be truly miss and may rest peacefully in heaven until we meet again ❤

Hello and thank you for visiting Jim's Guest Book. It has been a true pleasure speaking with so many of you that have been impacted by my Dad's life. Please feel free to share any memories you may have of him. Thank you for being a part of his life and legacy.

I have known James for many years. He served as an excellent counselor in my division in the St. Louis schools. I knew his wife also I also knew their daughter, Carla. I wish solace and healing, and peace to this family. Dannie Franklin

Class of 1972 VASHON RIP in your Heavenly Home from Doreatha Compton

cherishing the wonderful memories and sending lots of love. God bless You.

I will miss Jim and his friendly smile. He truly lived his best life and was a wonderful man.