Jerry Allen Richards, 59, of Iola died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.
He was born Sept. 10, 1951, in Iola, to Kenneth L. and Evelyn L. (Ludlum) Richards. He grew up in Iola and graduated from Iola High School.
He joined the U.S. Navy and retired after serving 21 years.
On Nov. 17, 1978, he married Pacita L. Lebausa in Okinawa, Japan. Following his retirement from the service in 1989, they made their home in Florida. In 1998, they moved to Iola. He worked for Gates Corporation for 18 years.
He enjoyed fishing, repairing cars, working on houses and spending time with his family and friends. He had been a member of the American Legion in Chanute.
He is survived by his wife of the home; five children, Kimberly Watkins, Jacksonville, Fla., Anna Lissa Gootee, Lawrenceburg, Ky., Jerry A. Rodriguez Jr., Green Cove Springs, Fla., Steven M. Richards, Iola, and Joseph A. Richards, Jacksonville; 15 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; seven siblings, Juddy Smith, Humboldt, Donna Sinclaire, Bristol, Okla., Chris Richards, Iola, Debby Andreas, Gas, Dennis Richards, Ulysses, Texas, Brenda Briggs, Tulsa, Okla., and Missy Reeves, Chanute.
Visitation was Sunday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel in Iola. Cremation followed the visitation.
Online condolences for the family may be left at iolafuneral.com.
Jerry Richards
