Paul David Richardson

Paul D. Richardson, 74, of Vidor, Texas died Monday, November 29, 2004 at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, Texas. Visitation will be at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 2. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 3 at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in Vidor. Pallbearers will be Alex Richardson, Jerry Richardson, Michael Holman, Daniel Richardson, Trey Richardson, and Mancil Richardson. The eldest of 14 children and a native of Wheeler County, Texas, he had lived in Vidor since 1966 and was a retired sheet-metal worker with local # 196 in Orange. His work took him to local refineries, the Beaumont Shipyard, Parkdale Mall, and many other commercial buildings in the area. He was quite a craftsman–a real perfectionist–and practiced his trade with honesty and integrity. He was also an inventor and made metal pet caskets in the 1960s, long before they were in vogue. Additionally, he invented a device to attach to a leaf blower and received a patent. He could build just about anything because he was skilled in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, roofing, flooring...you name it. “Mr. Fix It” would have been a good name for him because he also had a knack for figuring out how to repair so many different things. Others really benefited from the fact that he was a jack-of-all-trades. Mr. Richardson had a heart for those less fortunate and used to say, “Read the red print,” referring to the words of Jesus in the Bible. He has a soft spot for children and enjoyed his grandchildren and the neighborhood kids. He liked fishing, gardening, and being outdoors. He was friendly and outgoing, but also private and reserved at the same time. He will be greatly missed. Mr. Richardson is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 41 years, Letha Holman Richardson; parents Willie D. And Cleo Faye Richardson; and brothers alton Richardson, Rich Richardson, and Wendall Richardson. Survivors include sons Kenny Richardson of Houston, David Richardson and wife Katherine of Beaumont, and Jeffrey Richardson of Vidor; grandchildren Katelyn, Alex, and Sharla Richardson of Beaumont, and Amber Webb and husband Rick of Alabama; great- grandchildren Derek and Rachel Webb of Alabama; sisters Joyce Chaney of Martins Mill, Lois Briggs of Brownwood, and Claudine Llewellyn of Oklahoma; brothers Barney Richardson and Jesse Richardson of Tyler, Leonard Richardson and Johnny Richardson of Palestine, Alvin Richardson of Corsicana, Jimmy Richardson of Frankston, and Jerry Richardson of Whitehouse; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cemetery:
Restlawn Memorial Park 2725 N. Main St. Vidor, TX 77662 (map/driving directions)

Visitation:
4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor 1750 Hwy Vidor, TX on December 2, 2004 (map/driving directions) Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor 1750 Hwy Vidor, TX (map/driving directions)

Service:
2:00 PM at Memorial funeral Home of Vidor 1750 Hwy 12 Vidor, TX 77662 on December 3, 2004 (map/driving directions)