B James Richards

B. James Richards

June 15, 1930 ~ March 21, 2017

In 1954 Jim Richards attended an organ recital of classical music at BYU. He was studying art, but loved organ music having been a student of the instrument. That night Maurine Hill, who was acquainted with Jim through mutual friends, was in attendance at the same concert.  She thought, “a man who loves music as much as I do is someone worth knowing better.” Thus, began a relationship that has been filled with love, devotion, and plenty of music.

Jim graduated with a BFA from BYU on the day he and Maurine were married in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were quickly separated as Jim went to basic training, eventually being stationed in Panama City. Maurine was able to join him there, arriving on Valentine’s Day 1956. It was easy to be in this Spanish speaking country because Jim was fluent, having spent more than two years serving an LDS Mission in Central America. He studied Spanish throughout his life, using it again to serve two additional missions with Maurine as missionaries and part of the Temple Presidency in the Mérida Mexico Temple. Jim’s love of the gospel, as evidenced by these missions, also prompted him to have compassion for others. He truly felt that service was the way he could best serve the Lord. Jim served without judgment and held numerous callings. Most recently, he had the great honor and privilege to serve as a sealer in the Ogden Temple. The honor of this position extended to his opportunity to seal several of his grandchildren to their chosen mate.

Although Jim loved music, he pursued a career in art and graphic design. This was influenced by his father, Blaine Richards who owned Richards Sign Company, and his mother Violet Williams Richards who taught him generosity and devotion to family. Jim worked with his father for many years, learning the craft of sign painting, hand lettering, and business skills. He learned through his father’s example to be fair and ethical. Jim’s career decisions were motivated by his family, not monetary ambition or recognition. Although he gained tenure in the art department at the University of North Texas, he chose to move his family back to Utah and begin a sign company in his home town of Ogden. This created the blessing of his children knowing their extended family.

Jim was extremely proud of his children and supported them in their endeavors. He urged them to pursue their own passions, finding work that was fulfilling, which they have done with his unquestioning support. His children are David (Pam Julian) Hillsboro, OR; Mark (Darla Covey) Heber, UT; Jeannine (Zock Goeckeritz) West Point, UT; Stephen (Lani Hull) McLean, VA; Daniel (Sherri Stephenson) Hillsboro, OR; Louise (Brett Moulding) Plain City, UT; and Michael Santa Clarita, CA. He deeply loved his 20 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

The Richards family is large and close. The relationship Jim had with his siblings was supported through the Blaine and Violet Richards family reunion, which has been held for the past 30 years. His siblings have looked to Jim as a source of leadership and spiritual support. He was born in Ogden, Utah on June 15, 1930 and passed away in his home on March 21, 2017. His brother Richard “Dick” (Annette) and sister Louise preceded him in death. He is survived by six sisters: Diane Dillingham, Jackie (Darrell) Palmer, Joan, Michele, Rachele (Fred) Thompson, and Sally (Bryce) Garner.

The family would like to thank the many professionals who supported them in the past 8 months: Dr. Greg Almony; Dr. Carl Gray, Jan Davis, and Mary Almony; the many doctors and nurses at Ogden Regional Medical Center; Sgt. Olsen and Officer Drca of the South Ogden Police Department, WSU officer Labbe; and EMTs. Your professionalism and compassion are greatly appreciated.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Pleasant Valley 3rd Ward Chapel, 5640 South 850 East, South Ogden.  Please join us in honoring Jim Richards at a visitation held on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Jim and Maurine Richards Masters of Education scholarship at Weber State University, 1265 Village Dr., Ogden UT 84404 or at http://www.weber.edu/development.