Douglas Josiah Richardson Jr.

Douglas Josiah Richardson, Jr. Douglas Josiah Richardson, Jr. (Doug), 83, of Bluffton, SC, went to be with the Lord peacefully at home and surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, November 26, 2016. Doug was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on January 6, 1933, to Douglas Josiah Richardson, Sr. and Mary (Wheelock) Richardson. He was the younger brother of Helen Card and Mary Heflin. Doug was preceded in death by his first wife, Myrna (Evans) Richardson, and his son, Douglas Josiah Richardson, III. He is survived by his wife, Ann Marie (Owens) Richardson, as well as three daughters; Beth Valorz (husband Steven) of Earlysville, VA; Stephanie McCole (husband Wayne) of Richmond, VA; and Mary Strittmatter (husband Michael) of Potomac, MD. Nine grandchildren will also miss Pop-pops; Aubrey and Nathanial Valorz; Mary Beth, Steven and Megan Verba; Carter and Katherine McCole; and Vincent and Chad Strittmatter; and one great grandchild, Abraham Estes. Doug graduated from Moses Brown Preparatory School, Providence, RI and also from the University of Rhode Island. He later received his MBA from Suffolk University in Boston, MA. Doug worked in the grocery and food distribution industry. Over the course of his career he was in management for New England Grocers Supply Company, owned a supermarket in Billerica, MA, was an executive with American Home Food Products and a VP of Education and Research for Cooperative Food Distributors of America. Doug was a founding member and president of the Food Distribution Research Society (FDRS) and a scholarship exists in his name through that organization. Doug also received the Panyko Award in 1997 by the FDRS only the 2nd such award given in 30 years. Doug was an avid golfer and was awarded for his service and devotion as the President of Sun City's Men's Golf Club in 1997. Doug grew up by the ocean and so in his younger days, he loved boating and swimming. Many of his fondest memories were created with his family in Westport, MA where he vacationed his whole life. His church and church family at Maye River Baptist Church were a big part of his life in Bluffton. He was so proud to have been a deacon at his church, of which he was chairman for 2 terms. Viewing and visitation will be held at Saul's Funeral Home in Bluffton from 6:00 8:00pm on Monday, November 29. A Christian service of celebration for Doug's life will be held on Tuesday, November 30 at 2:00pm at Maye River Baptist Church, 3507 Okatie Highway, Bluffton, officiated by long time friend, Pastor Jack Gatlin. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Maye River Baptist Church Benevolence or to the Melanoma Research Foundation, online at melanoma.org.