Edward Richardson, age 71, of Fredonia, Arizona, passed away on June 21, at Dixie Regional Hospital in St. George, Utah. He was born in Rock Springs on March 20, 1947, to Roy and DeEtta Richardson. He was the oldest of 11 children.
In his younger years, he grew up in Manila, Utah. He often spoke of his time growing up in Manila. His family moved to Green River, where he graduated from Lincoln High in 1966. In Green River at Lincoln High he was on the football team, which was his joy during this period of time. After graduating in Green River, he joined the Marines. He served for seven years in the Marines.
Ed was a wonderful, big, growly, grumpy teddy bear of the man who caused people to instantly like him despite himself. He made an impression on people, causing them to remember him with respect and admiration. He was often unaware of how people responded to him. This is because he simply enjoyed people.
The Marines allowed him to travel the world and see many things. While in the Marines, he married and divorced Maritha. After leaving the Marines he married Janet and returned to Green River. His marriage to Janet dissolved when she wanted to return to Ohio and her family.
Shortly after, he reconnected with a high school friend, Christina Yancy, and they married Nov. 3, 1978. After they married, he hired on with Halliburton to work on the North Slope of Alaska. He left Halliburton and returned to Wyoming after a few years. He missed Alaska and returned within a year or so. It was his favorite place to call home.
He often dreamed about being an Alaska mountain man. However, he did find it necessary to return to the lower 48 due to family, and he eventually hired on with the State of Utah as a port of entry agent and truck inspector. He worked for the State of Utah until he retired.
While working for the State of Utah he was living in Evanston and became very familiar with the Uinta Mountains. These were his favorite stomping grounds. He and his family spent many hours hiking around and exploring them.
Due to his health, in 2002, he and his wife Christina moved to Fredonia, Arizona. Christina, his wife of 25 years, passed away six months after they moved to Fredonia.
On June 12, 2004, he married Paula Yancy, a resident of Fredonia, his best friend and sister-in-law, with the blessings of their children. They had 14 years of a loving, blessed marriage.
Ed is survived by his wife, Paula; his daughters, Morgan Wynne, Candy and Brandy; stepson, Mark Force; his sisters, Sherry and Linda; his brothers, David, Irwin, Monty, James, Melvin, Kelly and Paul; his 19 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roy; mother, DeEtta; brother, Johnny; wife, Christina; and stepdaughter, Tyra Chrisman.
Memorial services will be held at Mosdell Mortuary on Friday, June 29, at 11 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time). Burial will follow in Fredonia at the Fredonia Cemetery.
Arrangements were made under the directions of Mosdell Mortuary, Kanab, Utah.
