James Richards

James Ward Richards passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 in the VA Medical Center, Grand Junction.   James (Jim) was born in Fort Morgan, CO on September 8, 1933.  He lived his childhood in Cedaredge, CO and went on to graduate from the University of Colorado with Phi Beta Kappa honors and then served in the Unites States Marine Corps.   After his honorable discharge from the Marines, Jim began his professional career as a geophysicist and geological engineer, which took him overseas to Libya and many areas of the southwest United States.   He married Betty D. (Jones) Richards in 1962 and adopted his step-daughters, Barbara and Patricia.   He lived and worked 5 years in Santa Barbara, CA and 22 years in South Central Pennsylvania.   Eventually, the lure of the mountains he so loved and aging parents called him back home to Colorado’s western slope.

Jim had many interests/hobbies including hunting and fishing, gardening his own backyard as well as volunteering for several years at Western Colorado Botanical Gardens.  He enjoyed collecting antique phonographs, records, used and rare books and volunteering at the Cats League and Assistance of the Western Slope (CLAWS).

When Jim’s physical health did not allow for volunteering, he enjoyed the bond he had with his cats and fellow cat lovers.   Jim is survived by his step-daughters, Barbara (Richards) McCambridge and Patricia (Richards) Ziegler as well as 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 3 step-nieces.

A memorial service will be held this summer at the Western Colorado Veteran’s Cemetery Committal Shelter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:

Cat League and Assistance of the Western Slope (CLAWS)                                                                                     2214 Sanford Drive, #A5                                                                                                                                      Grand Junction, Co 81505

Or to the Grand Junction VA medical Center (donate online)