Jason Richards

I'm really missing you...

I promised Jason years ago that I would visit his hometown. In 2018, we made it! I really understand his desire to make the area we live in more of a Frankenmuth, MI. It was very interesting! Nobody could love it more than Jason did! Jason, thank you for your inspiration!

Uncle Gary and Aunt Ethel, I just heard of Jason's passing and can not find the words to express my sorrow and sympathy for you both and Derek. Jason was always such a sweet and funny person and I thought of him each time I was watching Duke basketball and then when my daughter attended summer classes there this past summer. You are in my prayers and thoughts. May God bring you the peace that I feel sure Jason knows.

I just heard of Jason passing today and am deeply saddened. I met him this past year and he became a great friend, we would watch Tigers games regularly together at his townhouse in Traverse City. I was with him a day before he passed and we were making plans for the summer which he was about to kick off with a trip to Vegas. I hope his loving heart and giving attitude live on in the lives of those who knew him!

Mr. and Mrs. Richards, family and friends:

I just heard about Jason's passing and am so sorry for your loss.

Jason was one of those rare souls that you have the pleasure of meeting during your life.

Caring/strong/brilliant/athletic,yet humble; funny but sincere, he made you feel good about yourself and the world even when he was joking...which he often did.

I'm heartbroken but smiling writing this b/c of his unique and unprecedented anecdotes that are flying through my head.

Most of my favorite memories from Duke involve him; watching/playing golf, riding around in his brand new Detroit-made Corvette, just hearing his infectious laugh. As a sophomore, he told Theta Chi that if they didn't let me in he would leave the frat....who does that?

Well he was my big brother, and I'm so proud/lucky for it.

There will be a Mass held in his honor at St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC.

Everyone that knew Jason well has lost a great friend, and those that didn't missed out.

We miss you my friend and pray for you and your family.

I know you're happy in Heaven.

Sincerely,

Adam

I have many found memories of Jason growing up. My heart was broken when I read the news about him. I am thankful for the love and laughter that was felt and seen in their home. He holds a special place in my heart.

So very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I am so saddened by the loss of Jason. He was such an intelligent and hilarious guy. I'm proud to have called him friend and am thankful for the many fun memories he leaves behind. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

My deepest sympathy goes out to all of Jason's family and friends. He was such a rare soul, full of positive energy and drive. He was so generous, fun, and outgoing! He he will be missed. I'm honored to have known him. I pray time heals the hearts of everyone has touched. Rest in heaven, Jason. You will be missed.

What a shock to hear about Jason. I met him just a few years when he moved up north to operate the McDonalds. He would come into our branch office in Manistee and was a pleasure to deal with. I was from Saginaw and had met Gary before and we sometimes would talk about Stardust and State Lanes. He really supported the Manistee area and was a very outstanding individual who I will miss. Mr. And Mrs. Richards and family my deepest condolences.

My heart aches. He will always mean so much to so many. Mr. & Mrs. Richards, Derek & Amy - You are in my heart & mind.

There are no words...rest in peace. You will always have a special place in my heart. To the Richards family, I am so sorry for your loss. The world is definitely a bit dimmer. He was larger than life and one of the brightest, most funny individuals God blessed the Earth with. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Our deepest condolences to the family of Jason. He will be truly missed. He was a kind soul and loved by so many. God Bless you all during this difficult time.

My deepest condolences. Jason's family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers. Jason brought so much joy and laughter into the life of anyone he met.

Oh Jason! Too soon, much too soon. Some of my best memories are times spent laughing with you. You have touched so many lives and so many hearts. You will be missed terribly. Mr. and Mrs. Richards, my thoughts, prayers and heart are with you. I am so sorry for your loss.

RIP Jason... Lots of great memories with you. If it wasn't for your Birthday I would've never met Christian, so may God Bless you and keep you! I'm so blessed to have known you and to have called you a friend. Prayers go out to the Richards family at this very difficult time.

so sorry for the loss of him my thought and prayers are with you all god bless you and sorry again gary and dearick and family members.

So Sorry for your loss THOUGHTS and PRAYERS from our Family to your Family GOD BLESS

Our hearts are crushed at the loss of our nephew Jason Richards. Jason was uncloneable, a bit of a Force. He was one of those rare humans that you knew was in a crowded room as soon as he entered. High school valedictorian and Duke University grad, a successful McDonald's operator, on the board of Ronald McDonald's Children's Charities, it was obvious he accepted his dad's mentorship and applied it liberally. We were certain he was just getting started.



Following his Facebook page was a bit like his own version of Forest Gump or Where's Waldo. At a March Madness game, in the locker room of some sports team, schmoozing with a politician, at a concert across the country or spending Christmas with my wife's Colorado relatives when he lived in Nebraska, he was always on an adventure. His world was just bigger than most of ours.



Jason was an amazing includer with a strong sense of family. He was that person that brought people together, like little dollops of Super Glue, he made my family and my brother's family stick. We had our annual McDonalds golf outing that included me when he didn't need to, or sometimes it was the JGR Board meeting Ann and I were invited to attend as vendors of his JGR Corp. Jason would rent a place in northern Michigan so our families could just hang out together and stay connected. Or the marathon texting sessions we'd sometimes have late at night to try and one up the other guy's last text. He'd show up at his 90 plus year old grandmother's house, get her all gussied up and take her out on a date, maybe to the ballet, theater, or a Ruth Chris for dinner, never missing a chance to stop in and see her. He adored his now 4 year old nephew Rex and brand new niece Brooke. Two weeks ago Jason and Rex celebrated their birthday's together as only two kids can do, having desert for breakfast and staying up half the night discussing the universe while camping out in their bed forts they made that night. I believe a farting contest or two may have been part of the agenda.



As we sat yesterday with my brother Gary, sister-in-law Ethel and our nephew Derek and his wife Amy, there wasn't much conversation. What could any of us say? Jason and my brother Gary had a special relationship that surpassed father and son. The despair was obvious and now there's a huge hole in our universe that really nothing can fix except maybe time, lots of time. Don't know why the Lord has chosen to take Jason so soon. Maybe it's what Derek said yesterdayThey just needed someone up there to get things organized. Jason is the right guy. So, if some of you get up there before I do, and frankly my appearance is quite suspect unless Jason has some pull, and you hear a booming voice coming from a guy about 40 talking to Ronald McDonald, or sitting with some famous politician or world leader setting them straight on what they should have done, or maybe hanging with a group of kids who enjoyed the privileges of the Ronald McDonald House and are learning new tricks to make explosive noises with inappropriate parts of their bodies and just giggling, then introduce yourself to him and tell UD (Uncle Dennis) says Hi. Oh, and tell him I can't wait to see him again

I was so sorry to hear of Jason's passing. He was such a fun person to know and a wonderful Board member for Keep Alliance Beautiful while I was Executive Director. Such a personality and such a laugh!

What a privilege to have known Jason. He truly was interested in what I was doing for our Veterans and would stand and ask me questions about the dogs I was training for them. Always took time to say hi and ask how things were. I am so so so saddened by this news. What a wonderful caring man he was. See you in heaven dear Jason.

I am so sorry to hear about Jason's passing. He was a great friend of my son and grandson. We actually all went to a Husker football game in Lincoln when my grandson played. We spent the weekend together and had a wonderful time with lots of laughs and great fun. Jason will be missed!

Very sorry to hear about Jason's passing. We would like to extend our condolences to the Richards family. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
The Anderson Family

I am sorry to hear that Jason passed away, he truly was a generous, outgoing, and intelligent person that was always looking to the future for others he knew and cared about. He will be missed!

We are saddened for your loss. It has been our pleasure to have Jason as our best friend for the past 9 years. He will be greatly missed because we considered him our family. Jason brought so much happiness and love to our lives. I know he loved his family so much and told me this often.
With Love and Sympathy

I was Jason's Supervisor at GM Customer Care and Aftersales. He was great to work with. His personality was larger than life and he had fun where ever he was. So shocked by this news. Praying for the Richards Family.

The staff of Michael's Place in Traverse City are truly saddened by the news of Jason's passing. He was a strong advocate and supporter of our work serving grieving children, teens, and adults. We are thankful to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Gary,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Your family is in our prayers.

I'm so sorry to hear about Jason's passing. We are sending hugs and prayers fo the entire Richards family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, J Money, as he always made me call him, was a beautiful mind. I was truly honored to have had the opportunity to work side by side with him on our co-ops Executive team for the last 5 years. His joy and light can never be replaced.

Dear Gary and Ethel,

Nan and I are so very saddened at Jason's passing. We have fond memories of seeing him in Charlottsville. We know Seth really enjoyed Jason's visits to NC and the games he and Jason attended both at Duke and UVA.Jason was an inspiration to whomever he met. In his memory we are honored to support his charity.

Thinking of you and your family,

Bill & Nan

My sincerest condolences go out to the entire Richards family. My thoughts are with you all in your time of loss.

My condolences to your family. I know that Jason loved and admired all of you and absolutely adored his nephew. Jason became a friend a few years ago and was always a highlight of my day whenever we crossed paths. Our Traverse City community will dearly miss him.

My thoughts and prayers to your family Jason, Godspeed my friend.

We wish to express our sincere condolences to the Richards family. We truly appreciated Jason's friendship and sincerity. We will miss him.

My thoughts and prayers are with Jason's family. I am a fellow McDonald's Operator and shared serving on the RMHC Board with Jason. Truly a remarkable person. He will be missed.

Jason's spirit was bright and shiningthe stars look more brilliant now. So many happy memories, ridiculously fun times. Thankful he chose to spend some time in Tennessee, and I got to be a part of it. Sincerest condolences to the Richard's family. Rest in peace, Jason, you will be missed, always.

So sorry and shocked to hear this! I remember him as a very smart, caring and charismatic man who joined in at our Christmas gatherings as a true member of the family. He was a true joy to be around!

Our deepest sympathies. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Our thoughts and prayers to the Richards family with this shocking news of Jason's passing. Very sad and a great loss to his community as well. Julie serves on the Board of RMHC - Jason will be missed....hugs to all.....Pat and Julie Donahue

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Richards family. We are truly sorry for your loss.

-Setterquist family

I am shocked and saddened to learn of Jason's passing. What a tremendous loss. I look back fondly on my memories of the times we shared when he lived in Tennessee. My deepest condolences to the entire Richards family and friends.

So very saddened by Jason's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thoughts and prayers to the Richard's family. Jason will be missed by many. I pray with time you find peace and comfort.
God bless.

We had a special time together and I will always remember our time:) see you in heaven❤Sarah

Our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
It was quite a shock to us all here. It was a pleasure to know Jason.

What a positive young man Jason was. I ran into him many times in Traverse City and he was nothing but wonderful to speak with and full of life. I haven't seen him in awhile but he has come up in my thoughts often. He was the kind of person who left his mark on others. He will be sadly missed by many,including me.

I am shocked and saddened at the loss of Jason. He was a close friend, he made me laugh and would always find a way to brighten my day. He was a generous and giving soul and it touched my heart. When i think of Jason i will always think of his charismatic, fun, loving personality.

My deepest sympathy in your loss of Jason. I am in shock, as all of your family must be. My heart just breaks for your loss. My thoughts are with you.
Those we love can never be more than a thought away...for as long as there's a memory they live in our hearts to stay.
With sympathy,
Barb Doerr

Jason, you were a wonderful man! I feel very lucky having the chance to graduate with such a great person. R.I.P.

Very shocking....Jason - it was a pleasure to know and work with you. Rest in peace my friend.

I am at a loss for words. My heart breaks for your whole family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

You will be missed my brother.

We are so very very sorry to hear of Jason's passing.
We spent many happy times with him at McDonalds meetings and conventions. We will keep Jason and the entire Richards family in our prayers during this very difficult time. Our thoughts are with you all.