Harry (Buck) Loren Richardson Jr.

Our beloved dad, grandfather, brother and friend Harry (Buck) Loren Richardson Jr. passed away unexpectedly at his home in Royal City July 20.

Dad, our loss will always remain an empty space in our lives and hearts.

Buck was born June 3, 1946 to Harry Loren and Iona Richardson in Yakima. When he was an infant, his family moved to Royal City, which he considered his home until his death. He attended Royal schools and graduated from Othello High School as Royal had no high school at that time. After graduating, Buck joined the U.S. Army and proudly served his country, including Vietnam. He once bunked with Chuck Norris and it was a favorite story he often shared with his family.

While serving in the military, he married the love of his life and soul mate, Peggy Jean Cockrum, also of Royal City. This celebration was shared by family and many friends on December 16, 1967 in Othello. Buck received an honorable discharge in 1971 and shortly after he and Peggy began their lives together.

Buck began farming upon his return from the military and drove a truck for Lael Sikes Trucking until he became employed at the Royal School District, taking the position of custodian and maintenance engineer, until his retirement in 1994. He thoroughly enjoyed his position and soon made many lifelong friends.

Buck was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and his favorite past time was camping with family and friends. As years passed, he became an enthusiastic armchair sportsman and could often be found cheering on Dale Earnhart Sr. to the checkered flag. Almost no one in the area was a bigger fan of the Seattle Mariners, loving the crack of their bats, and we always knew where he would be when the Seahawks played, often on the edge of his chair.

Both his parents preceded him in death, and Peggy also in 1992.

Being the only son in the family, he shared many childhood memories of his sisters, some of which were pretty mischievous. He is survived by his sisters and their families, Clara, Jenny, and Betty, all of Hermiston, Ore. and Patty of Moses Lake.

Buck always shared unconditional love with his children: Kenneth Richardson of Hermiston, Ore. and his daughter Jessica, Deana Shaw and husband Jeffery of Richland, and children Kayla, Katie, Courtnie and Jace, Jana Richardson and husband Adam of Shelton, and daughter Cydney, Joleen Warren and husband Shawn of Moses Lake and Tonya Richardson and fiance Mario of Moses Lake.

Dad, you were often a man of few words, and appeared grumpy to others at times, but we knew the love you had for each of us and would always see your world light up when the grandkids came … You were an awesome dad, and will be missed daily throughout our lives and those of our children. WE LOVE YOU.

The family would like to invite family and friends to join in a celebration of Buck's life, following services, to be held at the Royal City Moose Lodge where lunch will be served.

Buck will be laid to rest next to his always loved wife Peggy on Thursday July 27 at 11 a.m. in a graveside service at Royal Memorial Gardens in Royal City, Wash. Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Chapel, Othello.