Percy Richardson

Percy Neal Richardson, 78, of Lancing, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 5, 2025 just days shy of his 79th birthday. Born Nov. 11, 1946 in Clarksville and raised in Nashville, Neal was the son of Harvill Percy 'H.P.' Richardson and Idella Richardson.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, School of Architecture (Class of 1971), Neal joined Upland Design Group in Crossville, where his creativity and vision helped shape schools and public buildings across Tennessee. In 2018, he was honored to deliver the commencement address for the UT College of Architecture and Design.
Guided by a lifelong belief in education and opportunity, Neal and his wife, Jeanne, established and supported multiple scholarships to assist students pursuing careers in architecture, design, education and agriculture. Their endowments through the University of Tennessee and the Roane State Foundation have provided lasting opportunities for local students. Since his retirement in 2011, they have also distributed dictionaries each year to every third-grade student in Morgan CountyÑan effort close to Neal's heart.
In the late 1960s, Neal and Jeanne embraced the back-to-the-land movement, building a life rooted in simplicity, hard work and respect for nature. At Richview Angus Farm in Lancing, where he began raising Black Angus cattle in 1980, Neal found deep fulfillment in stewardship of the land and community.
He remained active in civic and agricultural organizations, including the Crossville Rotary Club, the Morgan County Community Fund, the Cumberland Trail project, the Upper Cumberland Angus Association, the Morgan County Cattlemans Association, and was a long-standing member of the American Angus Association. Neal believed deeply in the power of education, service and community.
He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Jeanne Taylor Richardson; children, Tonia (William Henry Cox IV) Cox and Tristan Richardson; grandchildren, Emma Sophia and Isabelle Madeline Cox; and brother, Harvill Richardson Sr. of Biloxi, Mississippi.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Morgan County Community Fund, part of the East Tennessee Foundation, at https://etf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4997.
No funeral is planned at this time. Neal's ashes will be spread at Richview Angus Farm in Lancing per his wishes.
Schubert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.