James Lee Richardson

Aug. 9, 1951 - Jan. 12, 2025

After a long and well-fought battle with cancer this superhero earned his rest passing away peacefully at age 73 on Jan. 12 with his wife and daughter at his bedside. 

The miracle man, who beat his initial 12-18 months to live cancer diagnosis, had another eight years, seven months of magical memories with family and friends. He leaves behind: his wife of 39 years, Pam; daughter Amy Vogsland (Michael); grandsons, Oliver and Aiden; sisters, Pat Austin (Dennis), Pam Biermaier (Joe) and Renee Richardson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rick and Ann, and brother, Tommy. 

Growing up in Springfield and Austin, MN, he was often outside at the pool or doing gymnastics. A graduate of Bemidji State College with a Bachelor of Science degree, he quickly decided corporate life was not for him and worked for 31 years outside in road construction driving heavy equipment before retiring in 2010.

A jack-of-all trades who showed his love best by acts of service to others, he was always offering a helping hand to scrape snow off your car, drive you to the airport or help you with any house project. His grandsons are especially fond of the big playset he helped assemble in their yard leaving the impression in their minds he was the strongest man in the world. He loved family time, collecting glass insulators, listening to The Beatles, going on vacation with his wife and watching the sunrise on a beach. He looked forward to playing cribbage with his daughter on their weekly Friday afternoon dates, viewing classic monster movies with his dad and sister, running, and fishing with his nephews, brothers-in-law and grandsons. He was a confidant to many, even though he stubbornly refused to get hearing aids for the last half decade. His gift in life was being available to anyone who needed him. 

Dad/Papa will be greatly missed but never forgotten. The day after his passing his 5-year-old grandson Aiden stated, “Papa’s not gone. He’s just up there (pointing to the galaxy of stars projected on his bedroom ceiling). He’s just up on one of those stars and we'll find out which star he’s on when we get to heaven. Papa’s not sick anymore! No germs in heaven.”

Celebration of Life will be from 1 to 4 PM Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Gearty-Delmore Plymouth Chapel, 15800 37th Ave N (@ Vicksburg Lane).