Cloudy, 31° F
(June 22, 1922 - Dec. 22, 2013)
John P. Richards, Jr. died at his home on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013.
Born June 22, 1922, to John P. Richards and Vivian (Vorse) Richards, he lived and worked and worked and worked and worked on the family homestead east of Frannie until 1989 when he retired and moved to Powell.
John Jr. graduated from Deaver-Frannie High School in 1940 and took over the family farm shortly thereafter. He improved the land through hard work and installing conservation practices making it into one of the most productive farms in the Frannie Project.
He loved hunting big game, small game and game birds and was very accomplished and accurate with rifles, pistols and shotguns. He loved taking drives up the North and South Forks of the Shoshone River and into Yellowstone Park.
He married Hildegarde Larsen-Nichols, known as “Hilde,” on March 28, 1948. She brought to this union a son Frank A. Nichols Jr., whose father had lost his life in World War II.
Later born into the union were Jane Marie and John P. Richards III. Although sometimes having an awkward way of expressing it, he loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He had survived two forms of cancer for 30 years. Being quite stubborn and determined not to be a burden, he lived and subsided pretty much on his own since his wife’s death in 2000.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson through marriage Matthew A. Nichols, grandson Jeremy J. Richards, and his wife Hilde (pronounced Hilda).
John is survived by a son through marriage, Dr. Frank A. Nichols, Jr. (Caren) of Tupelo, Miss., daughter Jane M. (Dan) Hadden of Powell and son John P. (Kendy) Richards III of Cowley. He also is survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
His wish was to be cremated and cremation has taken place. His ashes will be interred next to his wife’s at the Deaver Cemetery in the spring of 2014. Memorial services are being planned but have not been finalized.
Condolences may be sent to: John Richards III, P.O, Box 111, Cowley, WY, 82421 or Jane Hadden, 276 S Douglas, Powell, WY 82435.
Memorial contributions can be made in his name to a charity of your choosing.
