Col. Phillip A. Richardson

Col. Phillip A. Richardson, 69, was called home for eternal duty on Independence Day, July 4, 2020 following his death at the Ohio Veteran’s Home in Sandusky.



He was born December 5, 1950 in Martinsville, Virginia to the late James L. Sr. and Mildred (Donovant) Richardson. Phillip’s brilliant mind enabled him to graduate from Martinsville High School in 1969 and Summa Cum Laude from Northern Michigan University in 1975.



Col. Richardson, began his military service career in December of 1970, serving five years in the US Air Force. He continued his service in the Army, serving another 27 years. He was commissioned as an officer in 1978. He served during Vietnam, Grenada, Desert Storm, and the Iraq War. Serving in the Armored Cavalry Regiment, he was a tank commander for 24 years. He proudly commanded hundreds of troops. His duties also included, Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Warfare Officer for the state of Ohio. He was also the commandant for RTI (Regional Training Institute of Ohio). Col. Richardson was a highly decorated officer which included the Distinguished Graduate from OCS and The Legion of Merit Award.



Phil will be remembered as a true southern gentleman to all, but especially to Janie, whom he met while in Virginia. Following a brief courtship, he married the love of his life on July 20, 1985 and she will deeply miss all their dancing, where he would softly sing into her ear as he held her. They called Bucyrus home and he became an active member at Woodlawn United Methodist Church for 30 years. There, he taught Sunday School, served on countless committees, and was a lay speaker. He was also active in Gideon’s International. God and country were obviously important to Phil, but so was family. He and Janie raised four wonderful young men, whom he lovingly referred to as “my boys”. He shared many proud memories and he was a “hands on dad” when not traveling in the Army. Phil was proud to have sworn in a son to serve under his command, watch two of his boys receive their Eagle Scout Awards and watch two graduate college. He was definitely proud of the women they chose to marry and considered those young ladies to be his daughters. He cherished 13 years spent as a Boy Scout Leader/Scout Master and was certainly a great protector and provider for his entire family.



Earlier in life, Phil sang in a band, enjoyed body building, and loved racing cars in Martinsville, Virginia and Norwalk, Ohio. He did follow the Tar Heels and Buckeyes but his favorite sport was NASCAR and he was always rooting for Richard Petty and Jeff Gordon. In fact, a highlight for Phil was when he completed both the Richard Petty and Jeff Gordon Driving Schools.



In addition to Janie, his loving and supportive wife of 35 years, Phil is survived by three sons, Phillip A. Richardson Jr., Robert (Sheraton) Richardson and Keith (Jennifer) Richardson; three grandchildren, Alexis Richardson, Sierra Richardson and Payton Richardson; sister, Barbara Hairfield; his adopted family friends, Pastor Terry (whom Phil shared many wonderful talks) and Barb Burkhardt; father and mother-in-law, David and Linda Hillman; brother-in-law, Cullen Satterthwaite and daughter-in-law, Sharon Gillette Richardson as well as numerous nieces and nephews.



Along with his parents, Phil was preceded in death by his beloved son, David Richardson; brother, James Richardson Jr.; brother-in-law, Harold Hairfield and a sister-in-law, Mary K. Satterthwaite.



A memorial service for Col. Richardson will be held at 2:30 pm Sunday, July 12 at Bucyrus Nazarene Church, 2165 OH-4, with Pastor Keith Showalter and Pastor Terry Burkhardt officiating. Full Military Rites will follow in the parking lot and be provided by the US Army Honor Guard.



Donations can be made payable to Wise Funeral Service and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his tribute page.