John Eric Richardson, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather, age 84, died on March 7, 2024, in El Dorado, Arkansas. Eric was born on September 20, 1939, in El Dorado, to Sam M. (Jr.) and Ellene Richardson.
Eric graduated high school from Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Mo., in 1957, a school he cherished and proudly attended in the family tradition established by his brother Sam M. Richardson III, his father Sam M. Richardson Jr., his grandfather Sam M. Richardson Sr. and his uncle David C. Richardson. He graduated college from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., in 1961, where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He was commissioned in the United States Army as a second lieutenant.
Eric was owner and operator of Sedco Oil Company in El Dorado. He was also a teacher, mentor, writer, inventor, historian and collector. As a Master Scuba Instructor at South Arkansas Dive Shop, he taught hundreds of South Arkansans to become PADI certified and was awarded multiple patents for scuba-related inventions. Eric was elected constable of El Dorado township in the 1970s and served in that position through 2022. Through Ambec Corporation, he collected and sold military memorabilia around the world.
Over the past 16 years, he enjoyed hosting memorable weekends for family and friends at what he called “Richardson Summer Camp,” his property in Piedmont, Mo. There, he shared his love of nature and outdoor adventures.
Eric is survived by the love of his life, Margy Ann Curtis Richardson, to whom he was married for 61 years; brother Sam M. Richardson III of Little Rock, Ark.; daughters Amy Richardson Bradshaw (husband Blake) of Kirkwood, Mo. and Rebecca Curtis Richardson (husband Carl Ormerod) of Piedmont, Mo.; son John Eric Richardson Jr. of Healdsburg, California; grandsons Blake Allen Bradshaw Jr. of St. Louis, Mo. and Benjamin Eric Bradshaw of Kansas City, Mo.; and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces and cousins.
A visitation to celebrate his life will be held from 4-6 p.m. on March 14, 2024, at Young’s Funeral Home Chapel in El Dorado, Ark. Memorial contributions may be made to Arkansas Hospice and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Richardson family.
