Francis R. Richardson passed away at 4:30 p.m. January 14, 2005 at the OU Medical Center. He was 85. He was born to Frank and Pearl Richardson of Canadian, Texas and was preceded in death by sister Louise Drake of Frederick, OK and Marjorie Watkins of Austin, Texas, a brother Donald Richardson of Austin, Texas. He worked at Tinker Air Force Base for 37 years before retiring in 1982.
He was a 32nd degree Mason, belonged to the York Rite Consistory, Commanding and a member of the India Temple Shrine. He played the tenor saxophone in the India Temple Marching Band and India Temple Dance Band "The Royalaires." When they had their conventions, all the temples from everywhere attended. Each temple had several units in the parades they had. The unit Francis mentioned the most was those gorgeous palomino horses India Temple had. The band marched right behind them and he would say, "You can't imagine what it was like to march behind a mounted patrol."
He also played with the Dokie Band, Happy Notes, Knights of Phythus. Also with the University of Oklahoma Alumni Marching Band.
He is survived by Kathryn Maxine, Eva Jenson, an aunt in Studio City, California; nephew, Dr. Kenneth Richardson of Denver, Colorado; four other nieces and nephews, Phyllis McHale of Philadelphia, PA, Kenneth Oedshield of Norman, Oklahoma, Linda Nobel of Gilroy, California and several grandnieces and nephews, and three cousins.
Funeral services are 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 20, 2005 at John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel, located at 120 S. Broadway in Moore, OK. Interment to follow at Ninnekah Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel.
