Max Byron Richardson

Max Byron Richardson, 79, died February 7th surrounded by his loving family, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Max was born in Ogden, Utah in 1933, to Lewis Hillman Richardson and Belva Mae (Chase) Richardson. He graduated from Ogden High School; and at 18 yrs of age started buying a home. He then spent two years in the army, serving in a MASH unit in Germany, during the Korean War. He later graduated from Utah State University, where he majored in Marketing, with a composite minor in Accounting and Economics. On September 11, 1958, Max married the love of his life, Norma Eakle in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple; and they had 6 beautiful children. Max was an active member of the LDS Church, where he served as ward clerk for many years along with a number of different callings throughout the years.
His career as a Contract Manager for the L.S. Church spanned almost 3 decades. He negotiated many of their national contracts and was responsible for having the light weight Mity-Lite plastic banquet tables (Now used throughout the Church) designed and made for the Church. It was also his responsibility to schedule and do the ordering of all furnishings (Carpets, Pews, Pianos, Organs, Pulpits and other furniture.) for all new and refurbished chapels in half of the United States and Canada. He coordinated the delivery and installation of these items at the appropriate times, within the building schedules. Max retired when he was 63.
Max loved the wise use of words. He was a two-time winner in Deseret News' annual "Christmas I Remember Best" contest. His story "The King of Hearts" from that contest was later featured in Deseret News' book called "Christmas I Remember Best." A number of years later that same story was featured in Deseret Book's book called "Best Loved Christmas Stories of the L.D.S. People." He also had other items published in the Reader's Digest; and compiled and edited four books of quotations.
Max and Norma traveled extensively, from the quaint villages and colorful street markets of Europe to the Mayan ruins in the jungles of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico (They visited 20 foreign countries). His other interests and hobbies were collecting dusty old books of Quotations and Poetry (He had hundreds, some from as far away as Japan and Ireland). He also grew weird nut trees and a variety of different grapes.
Max often said "The most important events in my life were to pick a wonderful mother for my children and to raise them in such a way as to have them pick up most of their mother's virtues, while avoiding most of my vices and failings."
Max is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Norma Eakle Richardson. They have 5 living children: Paula (Robert) Barnhill, Larry Dee (Diane) Richardson, Lin Byron (Anne) Richardson, Julie Louise Richardson, Amy Norma (Ken) Bullock. They also have 16 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Elaine, and a daughter Doris.
He was a Wonderful, Loving, Husband and Father with a great sense of humor and will be missed by all…
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 16th, 2013 at 1:00 PM in the Woods Cross 2nd Ward Chapel, 800 West 1500 South, Woods Cross, Utah. Friends may call on Friday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, and on Saturday from 11:45-12:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment - Bountiful City Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.
The family would like to thank the staff of Rocky Mountain Hospice and North Canyon Care Center for all the help and loving care that was given to Max, and his family.