Charles I. Richardson of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed quietly at home on May 2, 2014. He was born in the Stoney Creek area of Carter County, Tenn., on May 21, 1916, to the Rev. James A. Richardson and Melvinia Osborne Richardson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his four brothers: Opal, Wayne, Argil and James Ivan.
Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Charles enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He underwent basic training in San Diego and served in the greatest Navy in the world. After the war, he returned to Carter County where he worked for North American Rayon Corporation in the sheet metal department for more than 30 years. He left in 1968 to become an instructor at the Herman Robinson Vocational Technical School, where he taught drafting and sheet metal work until he retired in 1981.
Charles and Mabel Myers were married on Feb. 10, 1951. They had one son, Larry.
Charles was witty, intelligent, generous, kind, and loving. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Elizabethton. He enjoyed beauty and nature and often went for drives in the mountains on Sunday afternoon. He enjoyed taking Boy Scouts on hikes and camping trips. He was a member of the Unaka Rock and Mineral Club and the Dashiell Masonic Lodge 238 F&AM. Above all, he treasured his family. His life was a demonstration of citizenship, friendship and fatherhood.
Charles is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mabel; his son Larry and his wife Diane; and one grandson, Chris and his wife Christina. He will rest at Happy Valley Memorial Park.
A service to celebrate the life of Charles I. Richardson will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday, May 5, 2014 in the Sunset Chapel of Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services with the Rev. Todd Hallman officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 – 3 p.m. on Monday prior to the funeral service or at the residence at other times. Interment will follow the funeral service in Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Military honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard.
Online condolences may be sent to the family and viewed by visiting our website at www.hathawaypercy.com. Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the Richardson family. Office: 543-5544.