JAMES ALLEN RICHARDS
JAMES ALLEN RICHARDS
James Allen (Jim) Richards passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at home. He was 85 years old. He was born on August 27, 1937 near Nashville, Illinois and was the son of Leonard James Richards and Martha Bertha (nee Dintelman) Richards. He was united in marriage to Joan Bassemier on December 30, 1989 in Metairie, Louisiana, and she survives his passing.
Jim graduated from Nashville High School in 1955. He joined the United States Army Reserve and served from 1955 to 1962. Jim was an entrepreneur and a businessman. He worked in the finance industry as an executive for many years before starting his own business operating and selling automotive repair franchises nationwide. At various times in his life, he owned a retail automotive business, and built and owned residential and commercial buildings. He obtained his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying his own plane for many years.
Jim enjoyed collecting guns, cars, and sharing coffee and stories with family and friends. He had owned two different farms after his retirement where he enjoyed hunting and raising catfish.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Joan Richards, and three children: Gina (Jeff Weinhuff) Chironis of Laguna Beach, CA; Jeffrey (Olivia) Richards of Mandeville, LA; and Julia (John) Walsh of Laguna Niguel, CA; seven grandchildren, Katie Grossman, Alex Chironis, Emily Richards, James Daniel Richards, Samantha Richards, Matthew Walsh, David Walsh, two great-grandchildren, Fiona Grossman, Jakob Richards; his sister, Carol (Denis) Sprehe; his niece and nephews, Lisa Flowers, Jason Schroer, and James Schroer; and his great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lola Schroer, and his first wife, Lorraine Jones Peterson.
Per Jim’s wishes, he was cremated and the internment of his ashes was held at Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 15, 2023.
Should friends desire, expressions of sympathy can be made to the family of James Richards through the Honaker Funeral Home in Slidell, Louisiana, who is assisting the family with arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy can be made at https://www.honakerforestlawn.com/obituary/james-richards.
