Jessy Daniel Richards

My first memory of Jessy is literally when I went to school. I hadn´t really known Jessy at all before then. I just knew he existed pretty much. I was at school for orientation and was trying to find my way around when I bumped into Jessy. I didn´t recognize him at first but he recognized me. He just asked about my schedule and told me some things about my other teachers. My favorite memory with Jessy is when I was in class and 2 girls needed to use the bathroom. Since the rule is one at a time, Jessy only let one of the girls go and she said jokingly, "Yeah I get to go because I´m his favorite" I said back, "oh yeah? Well, are you gonna see him on thanksgiving?" She didn´t reply and honestly, I don´t she heard me. A special memory I shared with Jessy was also at school. I would obviously mostly see him there, so most of my memories with him were there. My favorite moments that would happen all the time and I laugh thinking about, are the times when a student is acting crazy and he would glance at me and I would do the same back, and we would basically give that kind of glance that´s like "did they really just do that right now?". I always almost laughed or laughed quietly. A time Jessy made me laugh or smile, is when we were writing our names on the board for our essays. I remember I hade the nickname charizard in his class so I would be called as charizard for the essay and I remember someone but there name as something outrageous that wasn´t even CLOSE to their name and Jessy asked who it was and got a little mad and the kid was like "well she has her name as Charizard" and me and Jessy exchanged one of those glances and he said "well that´s different"and that shut the kid up. Something I will always remember about Jessy is his happy, funny, sweet, and caring attitude. He always was nice unless you were mean, he always had a smile on his face and was a great person overall. Something me and Jessy did together that we enjoyed was just talking. Everyday before class, I would talk to him and chat and just say hi, ask how it was going, how his cats were, and what book he was reading at the time. One place that it kind of obviously would remind me of Jessy is his classroom. The ELA room was always decorated nicely and some of his stuff is still in there. Something I learned from Jessy is that always be kind, don´t try to act smart, and don´t rush. Just try your best.

The first time I saw mr.Richards was his demo lesson. All of us immediately new he was going to be a fantastic teacher. He was a literal ray of sunshine. He always new us individually. He was probably the most energetic and enthusiastic person I knew. All of us loved him with all of our hearts and I hope he knows that.

What i would like to say about Jessy or as i knew him Mr. Richards, is that i miss him every day he was my 5th grade E.L.A Teacher. When i heard about the news i was super sad, because he made an amazing and joyful impact on lots of people's lifes including mine, i loved his hugs, he came to our choir concert in November and i never had to feel different around him, i could just be myself, and i like him for that and lots more too. I got into the End-of-the-year concert that not everyone could get into. I knew that he would be proud, and i hope he is.

I met Jessy, or Mr. Richards about a year ago. He was our new 6th grade ELA teacher. I remember thinking he was really cool and relatable. Over time, I got to know him more and found out we had similar interests. Lots of our conversations involved talking about Lana Del Rey, family, and good movies and books. He was such a joyous person and it is so tragic how his time was cut short. He brought so much joy to the classrooms and he was my favorite person to talk to. This year I would commonly stop by his classroom to say, "Hi" and to catch up. It was my favorite time of the day. I am so blessed to have been able to know Mr. Richards. He was such an amazing person and talking to him made my day 10 times better. We miss you Mr. Richards.

He just seemed like a teacher and hip and young.

at summer bridge

I remember being nervous seeing someone I went to high school with at the LUSH hiring party... would he be judgmental of me from knowing me through embarrassing high school moments? I should´ve known that´d be a dumb question, because what an amazing human & coworker he was. We drove home together from the holiday party, and I´ll always laugh when I think of him saying not to wait until he gets into his house to drive away, because "he just knew I was that type". And he was right! I still waited for him to get safely inside. I´m thinking of all of his cherished performing arts friends, his family, & his students at this time

Jessy was one of the first friends I made at O´Connor. We painted the set together during Grease over the summer and he helped encourage me to get involved in theatre. I loved it and I loved spending that time with him.

Jessy inspired, encouraged, loved and lived with his whole heart. His presence in a room was lovingly known and welcoming. His love was genuine & kind. It was a privilege to have known him. Jessy will forever be in our hearts & will be greatly missed.

Jessy or as I know him, Mr. Richards, was an amazing and inspiring person. He came to ASA in the middle of 6th grade for me because our English teacher had left. The day we met him, we all knew he was amazing. He made learning so fun and I always looked forward to his class. Thank you for everything, Mr. Richards.

I met jessy my freshman year of high school. I don´t remember how we became friends exactly but I knew we clicked instantly. We have been close friends ever since. He loved so passionately and deeply. Everyone in his life was so lucky to feel that love. A piece of me will always be broken. He took a piece of my heart with him. But I know he is forever one of my guardian angels. Jessy I love you so much. I´m going to miss you every day for the rest of my life.

I first met Jessy in 2013 when we were in choir together in high school. I don´t think I would´ve gotten through school without him. Jessy was exceptional. He was kind, funny, generous, and such a talented person. His energy lit up every room he walked into. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the friendship and memories we shared. He was so incredibly special and a one of a kind human being. I think I´ll miss you for the rest of my life. Thank you for everything, Jessy.

Jessy had this really unique ability to make anyone he met feel comfortable, appreciated and valued. A person would only have to meet him once to feel the love he put into this world even if the world didn´t always return the favor. There aren´t enough people like that and it´s the most important thing I learned from him: no matter how burnt out people can make us, no matter how draining it is to do, we can ALWAYS extend more empathy, meet others more openly and offer benefits of the doubt more freely. He´s the best example of that.

I became friends with Jessy my senior year of high school. We were in choir and theatre together. Even though we didn´t stay in touch, I always look back on our friendship very fondly. He made me feel so loved and funny and good about myself, and he did that for everyone else around him. My fondest memory is when I graduated high school, he gave me a little potted sunflower as a gift because they were my favorite flower. He was so extremely thoughtful. I will miss him. I love you, Jessy! Thank you for always making me smile.

I will never forget walking into Mr. B´s Young Adult Literature class and seeing Jessy in a cowboy hat (which was definitely not in his usual daily wardrobe) talking to the class TA. Apparently it was "Cowboy Day", and Jessy was one of the first to volunteer to wear the hat. His sense of humor always made me smile.

I loved talking to Jessy about his passion for teaching and writing. Sitting next to him in Dr. B´s Young Adult Literature class was a bright part of my day at ASU that always came with a laugh. We would talk about tattoos and fantasy book recommendations and our plans for our future classrooms. His love for his work and his dedication shrine through with everything he did, and his positivity made my world a brighter place.

I met jessy in high school theatre. He was one of the most welcoming, caring, loving people I´ve had the privilege of knowing. He made every person he came in contact with feel as though there was something in them. He was one of those types of people you go months/years without speaking to, but when you did... you started right where you left off. He truly was like no one else, and always had the sweetest smile on his face. Jessy is such a memorable person and truly deserved the world and then some. Love and miss you forever my friend, will always be thinking of ya.

I met Jessy in high school. He and I did choir and theater together. I had the pleasure of being a TA for his theater class. Jessy was always so sweet and so happy about everything! Jessy always brightened my day whenever I saw him. I miss you Jessy!

I know we didn´t really keep in touch after high school but I will always remember the few years I had the privilege of doing shows in theater with Jessy, he was always a source of positivity in the department and so fun to be around. My favorite memory is the times we got to hang out at convention meetups for a webcomic we both liked, I will never forget the times we shared. The world has truly lost an amazing person. You will be so deeply missed!

I met Jessy my sophomore year of high school and loved him immediately. He was such a genuine, fun, loving person who would do anything for anyone without even being asked. So so many of my happiest memories from high school and college included him, whether it was Starbucks after school or Norterra on the weekends or even the note he wrote me after my dad passed, everything involving him was a positive. I love you buddy, and I hope you rest easy. Your work here is done, and you did it amazingly.

Jessy was one of the kindest, genuine, caring people I´ve ever met. He could make you laugh no matter who you were, his laugh and smile were infectious. I´m so grateful I got to spend the last 10 years as one of his best friends. I dont Know how the world is going to keep turning without you Jessy, I miss you every minute. Because I knew you, I have been changed for good

jessy and i first met our sophomore year of highschool in math class. he transferred to o´connor and didn´t know too many people. i walked up to him one day and i complimented his shirt. it had red and pink flowers on it. we were inseparable from then on. he´s been my best friend for over 10 years and he even stood with me on my wedding day just 3 weeks ago. i love you jessy. i miss you so much.