Charles Richardson 1945-2024

Charles Richardson

1945-2024

Charles Boyce Richardson passed away Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Azle.

A memorial service will be Saturday, April 6, at 2 p.m. at the First Methodist Church of Azle, with reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Methodist Azle Building Fund or Agape Fund.

Charles was born Dec. 16, 1945, the fifth of nine children, to Charles Henry and Effie Hattie Richardson. A 1964 graduate of Haltom High School, Charles attended Cisco Junior College for two years before joining the United States Marine Corps in 1966. He attended boot camp at MCRD in San Diego and infantry training at Camp Pendleton. Afterward, he was a member of the USMC reserve until 1972. He received an undergraduate degree in education from Texas Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in administration from University of North Texas.

In 1971, he was introduced by friends to Sharon Hamilton. They married in June 1975. Their union was blessed with a daughter, Sarah, her husband Lee and a granddaughter, Katherine.

Charles started his education career teaching in Arlington. While in Arlington, he began his career as a principal and continued in Itasca, Palo Pinto, Graham and finished his career in Azle, where he served as the principal for Azle Elementary, Hoover Elementary and Santo Forte Junior High schools. His career spanned 31 years and ended with his retirement in 2002.

Charles was very active in his church, First Methodist Church of Azle. He served on many boards, provided mentorship to confirmands, and helped maintain the church and the grounds. Charles also enjoyed sports but was particularly a lifelong, diehard fan of the Baylor Bears and the Chicago Cubs. He also took pride in his father’s 1970 Ford Ranger truck, lovingly rebuilding and restoring it several times.

Charles was preceded in death by his mother and father, sister Betty Counts and brothers Donald Ray and Jimmy Richardson.

A loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Charles leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Sharon, their daughter, Sarah Hamm of Hewitt, along with son in law, Lee Hamm, and his “favorite” granddaughter, Katherine Hattie; sisters Zelma Hudson, Nancy Bellah and Margie Roberts; brothers Charles Edward Richardson and Donald Richardson; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.