James Richardson

James Gilbert Richardson of Anchorage, 77, died Thursday, May 27, 2010. Surrounded by family and friends, Jim died peacefully at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Wash., of cardiovascular disease.

His family wrote that he "entered heaven to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his beloved wife of 21 years, Dawn Eileen Richardson."

A funeral will be held at Birch Harbor Baptist Church, Mile 5, Knik Goose Bay Road, at 11 a.m. Friday, July 2. Pastor Jeff Offord will officiate. A graveside service with military honors will follow at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

"I believe in the cross and the blood of Jesus Christ and I know where I am going when I die. Having my wife in heaven is another reason why I am looking forward to going there. There's only one life t'will soon be passed and only what's done for Christ will last. " - James G. Richardson

Jim was born Oct. 10, 1932, in Longview, Texas. In 1949, he graduated from Beaumont High School and started college at Lamar University, majoring in architecture. He then served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War from 1950-1953. Jim chose training in construction in the Marines and continued a career in construction and painting until retirement. Jim first came to Alaska as a missionary in 1954, at the age of 21. He homesteaded in Willow along the Kashwitna River in the late 1950s.

Jim enjoyed many hobbies: He loved art, acrylic and oil painting, gardening, fishing, hunting, antique collecting and his favorite pastime was singing and leading music. Very generous with his spare time, he volunteered for many worthwhile organizations. His recent favorites were Victory Bible Camp, Alaska Prison Ministries, and the Mat-Su Miners.

Jim will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, adventurous spirit, positive outlook, and his ability to see all strangers as potential friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Dawn Eileen; parents, Jiles Perry and Elsie Bernice; and brothers, J.P. and Cecil Allen.

He is survived by his son, Robert Joshua "R.J."; daughters, Maryellen and Heather "Shade"; sons-in-law, Christopher and Roy; granddaughters, Sierra, Lena and Sonja; numerous members of the extended Richardson family; and his own special little firecracker of a Pomeranian, Steve.