Herbert James Richmond
<p>Longtime Alaskan, Herbert James Richmond (Jim, JR) passed away at the age of eighty-one on May 22nd, 2023, in Fairbanks, Alaska. </p><p>Jim was born December 16, 1941, in Youngstown, Ohio. He served in the US Army from 3/1959 to 4/1962 including a tour in Wurzburg, Germany during the raising of Berlin Wall. After Germany, Jim was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington, where he met his One True Love Anna Mae Valdez. They married on September 14, 1962, in Seattle, WA. The following day the newlyweds began their journey up the Alcan Highway to Fairbanks, AK, spending the next sixty years happily loving their three children, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. </p><p>Jim held various occupations throughout the years and retired from Odom Company/Coca-Cola in 1994 as a member of the Local Teamster's 959 and the Western Conference Teamsters. Jim enjoyed being a member of the local Elks Club of Fairbanks and the whole family would join in the many Easter, Mother's Day and Father's Day brunches. Jim's greatjoy and passion was playing baseball, which he played in the Army while stationed in Germany. At the age of seventeen he tried out for the Yankee's B-league, but unfortunately was injured during the tryouts! He continued his love of the game in Fairbanks where he was instrumental in creating the first softball league, which he managed and played for many years. </p><p>His granddaughters remember him as the epitome of a great family man: kind, humble, gentle, caring, loving, intelligent, sarcastically witty, talented, cautiously adventurous, with a thirst for knowledge. He was an avid fisherman at Paxson Lake with a heart so big he would teach you to fish and then give you his only rod and reel so you could be fed forever. This world is better because he was in it. We are all better because we knew him and blessed because he loved us. He is now with The Lord, will never be forgotten, and one day we will see him again. </p><p>He was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He is survived by his wife Anna Mae Richmond, daughters Lory Blanning (Mike), Toni Burton (Gary), and son Doug Richmond (Elke), granddaughters Breanne Swenor (Ben), Anna Horn (Ryan), Deanna Padgett (Johnathan), Taunya Burton, Emma Richmond, nine greatgrandchildren, sister Norma Carter of Ocala Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews. </p><p>Per Jim's wishes a private family memorial was held. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Parkinson's Foundation or St. Jude's Childrens Hospital or a charity of your choice </p>Obituary
Longtime Alaskan, Herbert James Richmond (Jim, JR) passed away at the age of eighty-one on May 22nd, 2023, in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Jim was born December 16, 1941, in Youngstown, Ohio. He served in the US Army from 3/1959 to 4/1962 including a tour in Wurzburg, Germany during the raising of Berlin Wall. After Germany, Jim was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington, where he met his One True Love Anna Mae Valdez. They married on September 14, 1962, in Seattle, WA. The following day the newlyweds began their journey up the Alcan Highway to Fairbanks, AK, spending the next sixty years happily loving their three children, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Jim held various occupations throughout the years and retired from Odom Company/Coca-Cola in 1994 as a member of the Local Teamster's 959 and the Western Conference Teamsters. Jim enjoyed being a member of the local Elks Club of Fairbanks and the whole family would join in the many Easter, Mother's Day and Father's Day brunches. Jim's greatjoy and passion was playing baseball, which he played in the Army while stationed in Germany. At the age of seventeen he tried out for the Yankee's B-league, but unfortunately was injured during the tryouts! He continued his love of the game in Fairbanks where he was instrumental in creating the first softball league, which he managed and played for many years.
His granddaughters remember him as the epitome of a great family man: kind, humble, gentle, caring, loving, intelligent, sarcastically witty, talented, cautiously adventurous, with a thirst for knowledge. He was an avid fisherman at Paxson Lake with a heart so big he would teach you to fish and then give you his only rod and reel so you could be fed forever. This world is better because he was in it. We are all better because we knew him and blessed because he loved us. He is now with The Lord, will never be forgotten, and one day we will see him again.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He is survived by his wife Anna Mae Richmond, daughters Lory Blanning (Mike), Toni Burton (Gary), and son Doug Richmond (Elke), granddaughters Breanne Swenor (Ben), Anna Horn (Ryan), Deanna Padgett (Johnathan), Taunya Burton, Emma Richmond, nine greatgrandchildren, sister Norma Carter of Ocala Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Per Jim's wishes a private family memorial was held. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Parkinson's Foundation or St. Jude's Childrens Hospital or a charity of your choice
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