Donald Roy Richardson, 75, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Friday July 16, 2021 in Mercy Hospital, Springfield. He was born November 12, 1945 in Eldon Missouri, the son of the late Earl and Viola (Kroeschen) Richardson. He was united in marriage October 24, 1992 to Linda K. Messenger. Don graduated from Eldon High School. He received a B.S. in education with a major in physical education and a minor in driver’s education from Central Missouri State University. Later, Don earned a B.S. degree from Drury University in criminal justice and a Master of Science in criminal justice from CMSU. He taught and coached at Fordland and Hartville High Schools before joining the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 1969. He was a respected member of the patrol for 35 years, retiring as a Troop D Zone Sergeant. Don was also a member of the Army reserve, Specialist 4th class. He loved the outdoors and spent many years traveling, camping, and fishing. He was also an avid genealogist. In his younger years Don was a pitcher for CMSU’s baseball team and a team member of Midstate Oil Slow Pitch Softball Team which was later inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Linda; his son Scott Richardson and his wife Aimee, a step-daughter, Angela Hughes; two step-sons, Scott Lambeth and his wife Jaime, and Sean Lambeth and his wife Michelle; eleven grandchildren, Riley and his wife Alyssa; Drake and his wife Aubrie; Kelsi and her husband Brad; Mackenzie, Tanner, Bailee, twins Lane and Laurel, Parker, Preston, and Cash; two brothers, his twin brother, Ronald Richardson and his wife Susan, and Paul Richardson and his wife Judy; two brothers-in-law, Steve Messenger and his wife Janet, and Jeff Messenger and his wife Wanda; two sisters-in-law, Terry Erwin and her husband Gary, and Cheryl Brown and her husband Vic. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 23, 2021 with a funeral service following at 1:00 p.m. at J.D. Lee and Sons Funeral Home, Rogersville. Burial will follow at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens, Springfield. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations to The Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society (MASTERS), 780 County Road 383, Whitewater, Missouri 63785 or the Ozarks Genealogical Society, PO Box 3945, Springfield, Missouri 65808.