John Franklin Richardson

On the afternoon of Friday, December 29, 2023, John Franklin Richardson, 71, joined his Lord and Savior in heaven.  

John was born on September 15, 1952, in West Memphis, Arkansas to the late Thomas Richardson. Growing up in the area, he attended high school at West Memphis where he participated in golf, football, baseball, and art. Following graduation, John attended Arkansas State where he majored in art, which would assist him in his future careers. He began painting aircraft for several different aircraft companies, then he opened his own commercial painting business which he operated for several years, before going to work painting trucks for Peterbilt. John relocated to Warner Robins in 1999, where he continued his painting career working for Robins Air Force Base. Following his retirement in 2014, he was able to fulfill his dream of restoring muscle cars. John fully restored over twenty-five cars and would sell them all over the world. His favorite cars were the 69 Camaro and Chevelle. John enjoyed golfing and fishing but was an excellent pool player, often known as being a pool shark. After retirement, John and his wife moved to Port St. Joe where he became a local legend running the pool tables and showcasing his talent. John loved his Lord and was a sweet, caring and kind person to everyone. He adored his family and enjoyed the time spent with them. His family were always impressed with his resilience in life following the loss of his two children. John was sentimental and would keep everything given to him as every item had personal meaning. He was preceded in death by his children, Kristen Elizabeth Richardson and Kyle Thomas Richardson.

His memory will forever be treasured by his adoring wife of twenty-five years, Betty Hale Richardson; children, Anitra Lawson (Ron) of Nashville, Tennessee, Arrin Burgand (Ivan) of Forsyth, Farrah Barreth (Bradley) of Jones County and Landon Stephens (Kristen) of Twiggs County; grandchildren, Maverick, Duke, Maggie and Laila Lawson, Karis and Julien Burgand, Sierra Williams (Evan), Waylon Horsting, Brody Battle, Brooklyn and Bryson Barreth, Brayden and Zoe Stephens and Caleb Richardson; great grandson, Hayden Willams and siblings, Allena Hutchingson and Connie Reynolds, both of Memphis, Tennessee.

Visitation with John’s family will be Wednesday, January 3, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at McCullough Funeral Home with the funeral service following in the chapel. After the service, John will be laid to rest privately.  For friends and family unable to attend, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family.  McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.