Dear Reader:
If you're reading my "Round the Town" for chuckles,
you'll have to read elsewhere because my message
isn't a happy one. Milton Richardson, one of the finest
men I've ever known, died last week in Sacramento,
California, and what has that to do with our little
Spanish town? Milt was born and reared here. He
was a nephew of mine only nine months younger than I. We grew up more like brothers than like uncle and nephew, as my sister, Maggie, Milt's mother, lived in homes near us so he and I were constant buddies.
In his early teens, Milt lost his father, Milton Richardson Sr., leaving two boys and four girls. Milt and his younger brother, Vernon, became the men of the house at a time when food stamps, welfare, etc., were unheard of. They both had paper routes, worked for area farmers and labored at the canning factory. They did everything possible to help their mother.
Milt and I were graduated from the Spanish Fork High School in 1931. We attended the Brigham Young University that fall, and drove a T-model Ford, 1922 vintage, to get to and from school. One night I had a play practice on campus and Milt drove the car home, loaded with our passengers. He hadn't driven much prior to that time. The brakes on those early T-models were rather tricky, and when he entered our garage, the car failed to stop and went on through the back wall of the flimsy building. From that time he was permitted to drive more often and be ready for such emergencies.
Realizing their responsibilities at home, the Richardson brothers left for California where they worked at the carpenter's trade in the Los Angeles area. They later organized the Richardson Brothers Building Construction Company in Sacramento. They did well financially, never forgetting their mother and sisters in Spanish Fork. Maggie and her girls later moved to Salt Lake City.
Both boys married and had families. They built homes next door to each other and no brothers got along better than they, unless it was Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
Vern died a number of years ago, but Milt retained the business, going into partial retirement only recently. This good man served his church as bishop, high councilman and donated hundreds of hours building ward chapels in the Sacramento area. Rose and he have been ardent temple workers.
This tribute to such an outstanding man, would not be complete without mentioning Milt's lovely wife, Rose, who managed a home loaded with love. When we visited the Richardsons in Sacramento, she always prepared the food we liked most (clam chowder), etc., and she insisted that we slept in the master bedroom with its king-sized waterbed. One always felt at home with Milt and Rose Richardson.
One night we arrived in Sacramento at 2 a.m. and immediately got lost in that concrete jungle. But a call to the Richardsons had them on the way to our rescue in minutes.
You know, all of us have experienced things in our lives that are memory standouts. Most of those in my nostalgic recalls include Milt Richardson. Good-night, my friend. If they haven't prepared a place of honor for you up there, I'll question them for their decision-making.
--Spanish Fork Press, Dec 18 1985.
FUNERALS
Richardson, Milton E. -- in Sacramento, December 11, 1985. Beloved husband of Rose E. Richardson, Loving father of Jeanne Hastings of Sonora, Anne Daniel of Los Angeles, Bevan M. of Sacramento, Kenneth L., of Fair Oaks and Steven L. of Magna, Utah. Loving brother of Eunice Richardson, Carol Back and Mildred Whipple all of Salt Lake City,m Utah and Margaret Carter of Springville, Utah and the late R. Vernon Richardson. Devoted grandfather of 11. A native of Spanish Fork, Utah, aged 73 years. Friends are welcome for visitation at ANDREWS & GREILICH, an East Lawn Mortuary, 3939 Fruitridge Rd. and are invited to attend services, Monday at 10 am at Sacramento First Ward, L.D.S., 11th Ave. & Franklin Blvd. Interment Camellia Memorial Lawn.
--Sacramento Union, Dec 14 1985.
Milton E Richardson
Milton E Richardson, a self-employed building contractor for 45 years, died in his home Wednesday (Dec 11). He was 73.
Born in Utah, Mr. Richardson lived in Sacramento since 1939. He was a member of the Sacramento Builders Association and the Sacramento 1st Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mr. Richardson dedicated his life to church service. He was the building supervisor for the Mormon chapel at 11th Avenue and Franklin Boulevard and many other building projects. Mr. Richardson served in the bishopric for 15 years.
He was the husband of Rose E. Richardson; father of Jeanne Hastings of Sonora, Anne Daniel of Los Angeles, Bevan M. Richardson of Sacramento, Kenneth L. Richardson of Fair Oaks, and Steven L. Richardson of Utah; brother of Eunice Richardson, Carol Back, Mildred Whipple and Margaret Carter, all of Utah, and the late R. Vernon Richardson; grandfather of 11.
Friends may visit Andrews & Greilich mortuary, 3939 Fruitridge Road. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday in the 1st Ward chapel, 2905 11th Ave. Burial will be in Camellia Memorial Lawn, 10221 Jackson Road.
--Sacramento Bee, Dec 14 1985.
To return to the Richardson Family index page, click here.
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"The Wheels," a 1923 T-model Ford, used as a BYU student bus in 1931-32. Left to right, Bert Fullmen, Bud Evans, Pearl Jones, Milton Richardson, all members of the class of '31. Note: all four doors are removed from the rig. Open air was the way to go--after all, it was springtime.
