James Polk Richards Sr.

James Polk Richards Sr. died on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007, after a brief illness. Mr. Richards is survived by his wife, Genelle Holcomb Richards; his four children: daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Ray Penn, daughter Debra Richards, son and daughter-in-law, James Polk (Jimmy), Jr. and Jan Richards, and son and daughter-in-law, R.W. (Ricky) and Cindy Richards; six grandchildren: Eric Trayce Penn, James Wesley Penn, Sarah Rheagan Penn, Joe Bryce Penn, Misty Richards and Ashlen Anne Richards; a number of nephews and nieces and extended family. Mr. Richards was preceded in death by his father and mother, John and Evie Richards and his brother Chesley Richards, all of the Atoy Community. James Polk, as he was known in the community, was a long-time businessman. He and his wife ran Richards Grocery and Cafeteria on the square in Rusk for many years. James Polk served with distinction and honor in World War II and he and his wife were awarded Presidential citations for actions during the Battle of the Bulge. Richards received the Mr. Medal in Feb., 1945, for the Christmas, 1944, flight from Marseille, France, to Bastogne to help save the encircled paratroopers in the Battle of the Bulge. He also served in many capacities in the community, including many positions with the First United Methodist Church of Rusk as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He was a past President of the Chamber of Commerce and past President of the Rotary Club. Mr. Richards and his wife, Genelle, were married for 59 years and have traveled extensively throughout the world. His loss will be greatly felt by his family, but his legacy and memory will endure forever. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. at the Chapel at Teaberry Farm at the home of Ricky and Cindy Richards, located on 2525 O'Keefe Rd. in Jacksonville Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007. The funeral will be Friday at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Rusk. Interment will be in the Atoy Community Cemetery. Pallbearers include Bryan Seldon, Richard Massingill, David Long, David Wallace, Robert Jenkins and Raymond Ross Vermillion. The honorary pallbearers will be Elmer Kennedy, Orville Graham, Levi Smallwood, Dickie McGaughey, Larry Long, Neill Holcomb, Caleb Richards, Joshua Richards, William May, Johnnie McKay and Rev. Charles Haley. Published in the Jacksonville Daily Progress from 10/4/2007 - 10/9/2007.

Information from Jacksonville Daily Progress

JAMES POLK RICHARDS

Funeral for James Polk Richards Sr. of Rusk was at 10 a.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Atoy Cemetery.

Mr. Richards died Oct. 2 after a brief illness. He and the former Genelle Holcomb were married Aug. 28, 1948. He served with distinction and honor during World War II. He and his unit were awarded Presidential citations for actions during the Battle of the Bulge. Among his medals was the Air Medal which he received in February 1945 for the Christmas 1944 flight from Marseille, France, to Bastogne to help save encircled paratroopers in the Battle of the Bulge.

He was well known in the community and was a long-time businessman. He and his wife operated Richards Grocery and Cafeteria on the square in Rusk for many years.

Mr. Richards was a past president of the Rusk Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Rotary Club. He was one of nine members on the City of Rusk Board of Managers, charged with directing the establishment of the Texas State Railroad State Historical Park. During their 59 years of marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Richards traveled extensively throughout the world.

Preceding him in death were his father and mother, John and Evie Richards, and his brother, Chesley Richards.

Survivors are his wife, Genelle Richards; four children including two daughters and a son-in-law, Cathy and Ray Penn and Debra Richards and two sons and daughters-in-law, James Polk (Jimmy) Jr. and Jan Richards and R.W. (Ricky) and Cindy Richards; six grandchildren, Eric Trayce Penn, James Wesley Penn, Sarah Rheagan Penn, Joe Bryce Penn, Misty Richards and Ashlen Ann Richards; a number of nieces, nephews and extended family.

Pallbearers were Bryan Seldon, Richard Massingill, David Long, David Wallace, Robert Jenkins and Raymond Ross Vermillion.

Honorary pallbearers were Elmer Kennedy, Orville Graham, Levi Smallwood, Dickie McGaughey, Larry Long, Neill Holcomb, Caleb Richards, Joshua Richards, William May, Johnnie McKay and the Rev. Charles Haley. O.T. Allen & Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

October 10, 2007

Information from The Cherokeean Herald