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Jeffrey Richards Obituary


JEFFREY "JEFF" A. RICHARDS
April 12, 1966 ~ March 27, 2015

Strong and courageous until his final breath on Friday, March 27, 2015, Jeffrey "Jeff" A. Richards, peacefully passed away at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR with his wife, Michelle, at his side. He had conquered Lymphoma, but complications that arose on his road to recovery were more than his physical body could endure. Jeff is now with the Jesus of the Bible, whom he loved and served for most of his brief 48 years on this earth.
Jeff was born to Gordon L. and Janet P. (Sasse) Richards on April 12, 1966 in Vancouver, WA. He attended Clark County Christian School, graduated from Evergreen High School and Clark College, and attended Western Washington University.
It was only natural that he was a hardworking and gifted General Contractor by trade having grown up working in his dad's cabinet shop, Gordon's Kustom Kitchens.
Playing hard came natural to Jeff as well. Whether he was coaching his sons' soccer and basketball teams, fishing, duck-hunting, glass float hunting in Lincoln City, playing Settlers of Catan, volunteering with Michelle to teach 5th-6th grade Sunday School and then serving in High School Youth Ministry, visiting OHSU's infusion center, or staying on 13K and 14K at OHSU; Jeff was in his element wherever he went because he was able to create smiles and laughter with his quick, sharp wit. He thrived on mentoring the young men in his small group at church and sharing his faith and bear hugs. One of those young men wrote, "What I am most thankful for about Jeff was his passion to teach me how to be a better man of God. Not a guy who knows about God. A man of God.".
To say that Jeff loved and was loved would be an understatement. A close friend penned, "Jeff was a lot of things to a lot of people, and the baseline of all those things was love.".
Missing Jeff beyond measure are: his wife of 28 years, Michelle Richards; son, Greg Richards and wife Angie; son, Chris Richards and wife Natalie; parents, Gordon and Janet Richards; sister, Caryn Shannon and fiancé Jim Kommers, niece, Heidi Mader; sister, Heidi Smith and husband Joel, nephews, Keaton and Wyatt; sister, Kim Savage and husband Mark, nephew, Joel and wife Kelly, nephew Josh and wife Jodie; Michelle's parents, Bob and Pam Hasbrouck; Michelle's grandmas, Ione Keen and Betty Hasbrouck; Michelle's sister's family, Julianne Halbrook and husband Gary, niece Rebekah, nephews Sean, Dominick, Joshua, Seth, Rylee, Jesse, and Shane; not to mention Peanut and Rudy; along with a multitude of other relatives and friends.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service in Jeff's honor on Sat., April 25, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Glenwood Community Church, 12201 NE 72nd Avenue, Vancouver, WA, 98686 (360)571-3300.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jeff's memory to Josiah Venture, specifically the ministry of Rob and Liz Trenckmann serving in Hungary or to Glenwood Community Church's Benevolence Fund.
Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Published by The Columbian on Apr. 12, 2015.
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Memories and Condolences
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Jeff was an amazing family man and Godly example. Michelle is an inspiration and an enduring source of joy and love. Both were born of parents who cherished family above all else...and that value glowed in the lives of Jeff and Michelle. We've known them since their teenage years, and realized even then that splendid things were ahead for the two of them. What a tragic loss to have Jeff's life over so soon. We send to the entire family our wishes for peace, wisdom and healing during your time of sorrow.

Doug & Susan Hamilton

May 9, 2015

Losing a loved one who brought light to those around him is truly a great loss. I pray that your years together will bring many memories to mind as you walk this path alone (for now)...some day...face to face with the One who loves best!
Jeff was a GREAT representation of the King of Kings and shared His love and faithfulness to those around him by his life & joy & caring for others. Sending prayers for your hearts healing in the days ahead...

Cheryl Piekstra

April 29, 2015

We didn,t know Jeff well. Just enough to know he will be missed. Our hearts are empty with out Jeff in them. Thinking of you always.

Mr&Mrs Terry Sayles

April 23, 2015

Michelle,
We loved Jeff the minute we met him! That is how he affects people. How many people have someone they have never met in person make modifications to a home (while living on the other side of the state)after talking to him on the phone?? Christ's love and light spilled out of Jeff to everyone he met. We feel blessed that our paths crossed. He is our inspiration! How wonderful for Jeff to be with his Lord and praying for a peace and comfort that only God can give. Love you Michelle....

Art & Kathy Lothrop

April 21, 2015

I knew Jeff as a young boy helping out in his Dad's cabinet shop. Even then, I was impressed with his level of maturity and there were some spiritual hints of the man of God he would turn out to be.
Gordon and Janet you did a marvelous job of raising him in the ways of the Lord. As you well know, Jeff is now in the presence of Jesus where there is no more sorrow or pain, only joy forevermore. Nevertheless, we also know that his absence leaves a vacant spot in your hearts, so our prayer for you and the rest of the family is that God grant you His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Adam and Thora Jackson

April 21, 2015

Thinking of your family at this most difficult time. May God be with you all and bring you peace soon. With our deepest sympathy.

John & Bonnie Kearsing

April 20, 2015

Michelle and family,

I am so sorry to hear this. You two lit up our unit with your love and humor, even through the toughest of days. Though I can no longer share my fishing mishaps with Jeff, I will think of him next time I cast my fly-rod into the lake! What beautiful souls you two are and I hope that peace is now with you both.

S B

April 17, 2015

Michelle, I don't know you, but I think I have some idea of what you have gone through. I traveled the same journey with my late husband. Praise be to God that we have our hope in Him and Jeffrey is home with Jesus now. I have prayed for you many times, along with Orville and Harriett Christensen's Life group. I continue to hold you up in prayer as you face the coming days. God is with you and holds your hand each moment.

Linda Shaw

April 15, 2015

Michelle, I'm so sorry to hear about Jeff he will definitely be missed.

Debi "Hinckle" Truong

April 14, 2015

An amazing individual and friend in every way. You were like a brother to me and your presence will be missed deeply. Delaney, Landon and I are blessed beyond measure for having had you in our lives.

My prayers will be with Michelle and your family daily. Your legacy as a father will live on thru your wonderful sons, Greg and Chris.

Juliann Hafer

April 14, 2015

So sad to see a good friend gone but he is now with the Lord. Jeff was one of a kind and full of love.

Mike and Debbie Mattson

April 14, 2015

We're so sorry to hear that Jeff is gone, but we're also so thankful to know with certainty that he is with Jesus right now. We pray for peace and comfort for the whole family and community.

Carli and Justin Swift

April 12, 2015

God bless the Richards Family with peace.

David & Alice Weaver

April 12, 2015

Ed & Charlene Cates

April 12, 2015

My prayers to this beautiful man and his family.

Kathleen Jenkins

April 12, 2015

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