Eugene "Corky" Richardson

1939 - 2025

Eugene "Corky" Richardson passed away peacefully in Salinas on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Corky was born Eugene Louis Richardson on December 13, 1939, in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Gene and Irene Richardson. Like many folks of their generation, his parents moved to California (via Route 66) in the hopes of a better life and to escape the effects of the great depression. While working in Tulare, Corky's father heard there was going to be a military air base built in a small town called King City. A month or two later, they tied their only mattress to the top of their car, loaded up all their belongings, and arrived in King City in the early 1940's. Thus began Corky's 80+ year life in the town he was always proud to call 'home'.

While at King City High School, Corky played football, baseball, and was a member of the thespian club. Some of his best memories during that time were participating in his Junior and Senior Class plays, "Arsenic and Old Lace" and "Heaven Can Wait," respectively. Upon graduating in 1957, he worked for Cal Fire as a truck driver and attended Hartnell college before enlisting in the US Navy, where he was stationed at San Diego and Adak Naval Air Base, in the Aleutian Islands. Upon being honorably discharged and returning to King City in 1961, he met and married the love of his life Theresa Reed. They would spend the next 51 years together until her passing in 2013.

Corky worked for the post office briefly before following in his stepfather Sam Palmer's footsteps, becoming an employee of Pacific Gas and Electric company (PG&E) in 1963. Over the next 30 years he held the positions of meter reader, collector, adjustor, and customer service specialist. In the late 1970's, he attended night school in Salinas and finished his AA degree at Hartnell; an achievement of which he was always proud. In 1993, Corky retired from PG&E so he could spend more time with his family, travel with Theresa, play cards at the golf course and roll dice at Pozzi's.

Everyone who knew Corky, aka "The Sweet," knew how much he loved his family, friends, and King City. Over the years he has always been active in the community. This included being a coach and equipment manager for the King City Little League, past president and treasurer for the King City Jaycees, a 22-year member of the King City Volunteer Fire Department and often helped at barbecues for numerous fundraising events. At the time of his passing, he was a member of the Salinas Elks, Salinas American Legion, Paso Robles Moose Club, and King City Silver Kings and Queens.

Corky was preceded in death by his wife, Theresa; parents, Sam and Irene Palmer; sister, Pat Lucas; great-granddaughter, Winter Rose; and his beloved dog Jake. He is survived by his sons, Jerry (Anne) and Ron (Amy); brother, Charlie Palmer (Ginger); nephews, Nathan Palmer (Dena), Robert McElhenney; nieces, Chrissy McClure (Richie), Rebecca McKenzie; and his five grandchildren: Joshua Richardson, Alyssa Richardson, Samantha Richardson, Kelly Richardson, and Keri Barner (Adam).

A celebration of life will be held for Corky at the Orradre Building, 625 Division Street in King City on Saturday, November 22, 2025 starting at 12pm. Per Corky's wishes, funeral services will be held privately.

If you would like to donate in Corky's name, please consider donating to the American Legion Post 31 (Salinas), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Post 6747 - King City), Mee Memorial Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice.

For more information, please contact Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St., King City (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com.