David Lee Richardson

David L. Richardson, 61, passed away peacefully at his home in the Turner area of Kansas City, KS on January 29, 2012 to be with his Heavenly Father and all his loved ones who passed before him. A celebration of his life will be at Maple Hill Funeral Home; 3300 Shawnee Dr.; 10:00 AM; Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012. Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 3 from 6:00-8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Disabled American Veterans or Edwardsville United Methodist Church. David was born May 1, 1950 in Kansas City, KS to Jess Richardson and Edna Reynolds Richardson. He graduated from Argentine High School in 1968. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the US Army in 1994 after 20 years of service to his country in Army Intelligence and Security Command. He was stationed in many US locations as well as Thailand, Korea, and Germany. After his military service, he acquired a degree in math from Heritage University while owning and operating a vineyard in the Yakima Valley of Washington State selling his Concord grape harvests to Welch’s Grape Juice Company. He returned to the Kansas City area after obtaining his degree and taught math at Turner Middle School and other Kansas City Schools. Later, he became a substitute teacher at many schools in the metro area including the Shawnee Mission School District. This took him into several different teaching situations and he was frequently asked to substitute in special education classrooms due to his firm yet patient gentle nature. He finished his teaching career August 2011 after providing daily one-on-one assistance to a child with Autism for over 2 years. David enjoyed many hobbies which included woodworking, motorcycling, physical fitness, and swing dancing along with other types of ballroom dancing. David is survived by his best friend and partner Cheryl Schinze and her children Natalie and Anthony of the home. He’s also is survived by his mother, Edna Reynolds Richardson of Wamego, KS; his twin sister Wilma Flannigan (Bill) of St. Mary’s, KS; son Brian Richardson (Donna Guilford) of Lexington, MO; daughters Juli Richardson of Alvin, TX; Melissa Richardson of Redmond, WA; and Janice Degollado (Frank) of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren Mikel, Corbin, Jacob, Crystal, Sabrina, Elizabeth, Derrick; great-granddaughter, Cassandra; nephews Matt, Brady, and Dempsey Flannigan. He was preceded in death by his father Jess Richardson.

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David Lee Richardson

May 1, 1950 - January 29, 2012