Sam Kay Richardson

Richardson, Sam Kay
passed from this life in early September of this year, while roaming the Arlington, Arizona desert that he loved so much. Sammy was born in Buckeye, Arizona in Dr. Ward's office on Oct. 19, 1943. He was the first of the five children of Samuel and Marion F. Stewart Richardson of Arlington, Arizona. Sam, aka, "Uncle Sammy", "Brother", "Face", "Wildface", "Mesquite Santa", was a well-known figure in the local Westside community for raising funds through his annual "Biker's Toy-Run" for area school children during the holiday season. His efforts at decorating a road-side mesquite tree along Old US Highway 80 with discarded pieces of tin pie plates, yellow caution tape and "what-not" during the Christmas season has caused many travelers to slow-down and leave a note of "Thanks" and even a decoration or two from distant places. Sam is survived by two brothers, Hugh (Cheryle) and Kevin (Judy) Richardson and two sisters, Dianna (Terry) Workman and Melanie (Kenny) Finchum , who all reside in Arlington, Arizona, along with numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and cousins around the state and nation. Sam is preceded in death by his parents Sam Kay Sr. and Marion Francis Richardson. A Celebration of Sam's life will be held on his birthday, Sunday October 19, 2014 at the Co-op Grill in Arlington, Arizona from 2-5 PM. As per his expressed wishes, it will be a balloon filled festive birthday party. Cake and ice cream will be served to guests as we remember "good times with Sammy"! In recognition of Sam's beloved charity, his siblings request that guests attending, bring an unwrapped children's toy or a monetary donation towards the annual "Biker's Toy-Run" which will support the schools in the local community during the Christmas season.