Arthur "Kim" Richardson Jr.

1947 - 2023

Arthur "Kim" Kimbriel Richardson, Jr. ,76, took his last snapshot on October 21st, 2023, peacefully at his home in Driftwood, Texas. An avid photographer, he leaves a treasure of images, of other people's life events and nature. Kim was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, in1947, to sharecroppers, Lorell and Arthur Richardson, Sr. It wasn't long before Arthur Sr. moved the family to East Camden, Arkansas for a job in the military, and Kim spent his early childhood fishing, chasing snakes, going to school, and developing a lifelong love of Razorback sports. Go Hogs!

They moved to Pasadena, Texas in 1961 and Kim ended up being a Senior in the first graduating class at Sam Rayburn High in 1965. He went on to attended San Jacinto Jr. College where he majored in Journalism/Photography. He also earned a national record in the Butterfly stroke while on the swim team there. He transferred to Sam Houston State in 1969 but left to go work at the Conroe Courier in 1973-74.

He worked at the Port of Houston ship channel from 1974 until 1983 and made many lifelong friends there. He also told some pretty wild stories about throwing 100-pound sacks, being able to fall asleep anywhere, and some of the dangers of working in the hold!

In 1983 he finally returned to his first love of photography, when he moved to Montgomery, Texas with his life love, Betty Carver. He worked as the major sportswriter/photographer documenting most of the high school sporting events in the greater Conroe area for the Courier, the Sun, and the Village Voice for over two decades. He also had the pleasure of covering many of the concerts at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, thus one of his favorite shirts stated," I may be old, but I got to see all the good bands!" He was finally "Phased out" in 2007 because he no longer fit their mold.

No worries. He worked for Central Delivery as a bank courier until his retirement in 2016. He retired to his family home outside of Driftwood, Texas with his wife Betty, and stepdaughter and son-in-law.

He collected cameras, knives and books, rocks and boxes, coins and boxes of coins. He collected seeds and bottle openers, jewelry he admired but didn't wear, leather coats and boots. He collected glass and beautiful things and awards, and music, and he collected the memories of significant events in hundreds of people's lives. And cats. He loved all animals but was a softy for cats.

He came into my life when my dad committed suicide. I was 17. We did not get along at first, but we developed a close relationship. Our common bond, we both loved mom. He initiated me into the "Good Year Blimp club", took me to meet tigers, and he walked me down the aisle. I took him to meet elephants and took him to see his sister, before she passed. He invested in me like I was his and he took care of my mom until the end. I was able to take care of him, in return. He documented all of my, and both of my brothers, major life events, and went on to document ALL his step-grandchildren, and step- greatgrandchildren's life events, some before they were born! He especially loved visiting with his niece, Melissa, sharing quips and observations about life, love, and Razorback sports. He also treasured his friend from college, Alice, that he had many adventures with.

He was kind, thoughtful, and generous to a fault. He doted on my mom and never left her side for 42 years.

I asked him what he would like to say on his passing. He replied," I had a good life. Never had a job I didn't enjoy. Most everything I did was interesting or challenging, either physically or mentally. I got paid for taking pictures! How frickin great is that?"

He is survived by his step-daughter, Suzanne Carver and her husband, David Jenkins. Niece, Melissa Hatridge and two nephews we won't mention. Grand kids, Ann Marie and Donnie Carver, III. and Eli and Tyson Carver. Great-grandchildren, Hiatt and Monica Bay. And many cousins across the south.

He was an exceptional photographer, husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa and we miss him. Please donate to your local animal shelter or the Heifer project in his memory.

We will meet on December 9th at 2 p.m. on 1836N in San Jacinto Monument Park, at the loop by the water, to speak of and remember Kim.

Love ya Kim,

Bye