Earl Winston Richardson Jr.'s Obituary
Mr. Earl Richardson, Jr., was born on March 10, 1935 in Tyler, Texas (Smith County) to Mr. Earl Richardson, Sr. and his wife Verral (nee Roy). He was the only child born to this union. He entered eternal rest on June 11, 2020.
Earl graduated from Emmett Scott High School in Tyler, Texas. He continued his educational success at Texas College where he graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. Earl received his M.B.A from North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) in1959.
Pledging during his undergraduate days, he became a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Military service included being a member of the United States Air Force, where he received a National Defense Medal in 1957.
During his graduate studies matriculation, he met, romanced and married the love of his life Miss Ruby Sims of Elberton, Georgia. Their union was blessed with two loving daughters.
In the early 1960’s, the young Richardson family moved to Dallas, Texas where Earl began a storied career in education initially as an instructor and administrator for the Dallas Independent School District from 1959-1969. After a tour of duty as a Program Director for the Dallas County Action Agency, he culminated his career with over 30 years of service with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as Project Officer and Southwest Regional Director for Head Start and other child development state programs in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
He received numerous awards including the Secretary Award for Exceptional Achievement presented by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. He had a deep passion for early childhood education. He was considered a forward thinker, as he believed in the intersectionality of math, science and history in the development of young minds. This ever-evolving concept resulted in the development of the Earl Richardson, Jr. Children’s Science Museum, located in El Paso Texas.
He was beloved by his colleagues, the parents and the children involved in various children’s programs. Mr. Richardson was wonderfully celebrated when awarded the designation of Grand Marshal for Region VI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grand parade held in Downtown Dallas, held in celebration of the accomplishments of the Administration of Children and Families. Earl retired from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2002.
A faithful believer, Earl was baptized at an early age at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, and, upon moving to Dallas, he connected with St. John Missionary Baptist Church where he served faithfully as an ordained deacon and Trustee for nearly 40 years. He served in various ministries including the Bethlehem Foundation, St. John Credit Union and the Sunday School Board. Other organizational affiliations included the National Association of Young Children, Children’s Defense Fund, NAACP, and Dallas Chamber of Commerce- Children and Youth Advisory Committee.
Preceded in death by his parents, Earl is survived by his wife Ruby Sims Richardson, his daughters Beverly Richardson Moshay (RJ) and Dr. Geri Richardson Williams (Lee) who recently returned to Dallas, Texas from Durham, North Carolina and Toronto, Ontario, respectively. As a doting “Papa,” he delighted in his three grandchildren including granddaughters Milan Simone Moshay and Sophia Beatrice Williams, and grandson Christian Earl Williams. His memory will also be cherished by a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brothers, and former colleagues.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 18, 2020 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Restland Funeral Home. Service will be held Friday, June 19, 2020 at 10:00 AM in the Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home.
To view livestream of the service, please visit:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/31595
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