Charles Thomas "Tom" Richards

Charles Thomas “Tom” Richards, 78, of Montrose, Colorado, passed away on Saturday, August 13, 2016.

Tom was born in Dixon, Illinois on September 17, 1937 to the late Charles and Winifred Richards. Tom earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Administration at Iowa State University where he met his wife Mary Frances Hussong. Tom and Mary married on July 24, 1960 in Deerfield, Illinois.

Tom enjoyed photography, crafting wood toys and embroidered goods, volunteering in the local community, four-wheeling in his Jeep in the Colorado mountains, and spending time with friends and family. Tom was a loving dad and grandpa, active volunteer and gregarious friend—his humor and cowboy heart will be greatly missed.

Tom and Mary lived in Minneapolis for more than 30 years where they raised their four children and served as Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders and were active in the Lion’s Club of St. Louis Park, Minnesota. In Montrose, Tom served on the board of directors of Montrose Community Dinners, Inc. and proudly helped in organizing the annual community Thanksgiving dinner that serves around 2,000 people each year.

Following college, Tom started his accounting career working for the retailer S.S. Kresge. In 1960, he joined General Mills in Minneapolis, Minnesota, working as a trade analyst for more than 32 years, retiring in 1992. Tom laughingly told his kids that his job at General Mills was “punching holes in Cheerios.” As retirees, Tom and Mary moved to the Durango, Colorado area where they lived for nearly 16 years. While in Durango, Tom and Mary enjoyed doing crafts together including hand crafting wooden toys and embroidered goods. Tom and Mary moved to Montrose, Colorado in 2012 and continued to enjoy crafting together and serving the community.

Tom is survived by four children: Janet Kerby of Phoenix, Arizona, Jeff Richards of Mesa, Arizona, Darrell (Christina) Richards of Henderson, Nevada, and Kristina Jahn of Big Lake, Minnesota. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Ashley Anomalay, of Meridian, Idaho, Chase Kerby of Phoenix, Arizona, Cassandra Jahn of Big Lake, Minnesota, and Allison and David Richards of Henderson, Nevada, and one great-grandchild. Tom is preceded in death by his wife Mary, parents Charles and Winifred, brother Merrill, and son-in-law Boyd Jahn.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Saturday September 3rd, 2016 at 2 Rascals Brewing Company at 147 N. 1st Street, Montrose, Colorado from noon-4 p.m. Please join Tom’s family for memories and refreshments.  Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, in Montrose is assisting the family.