Lafe “Todd” Richardson, 68, of Gravois Mill, Mo., formerly of Fulton County, died Aug. 3, 2009, at Lake Ozark General Hospital in Osage Beach, Mo.Lafe “Todd” Richardson, 68, of Gravois Mill, Mo., formerly of Fulton County, died Aug. 3, 2009, at Lake Ozark General Hospital in Osage Beach, Mo.
He was born April 30, 1941, in Fulton County, a son of Lafayette and Edna Stanley Richardson. He married Shirley Knott on Feb. 14, 1984, in Laurie, Mo. She survives.
Also surviving are three daughters, Tammie Levin of Cole Camp, Mo., Teresa (and Alan) Fields of Stover, Mo., and Lori Lindsey-Richardson of Camden; five stepchildren, Joe (and Katherine) Thompson of Nashville, Tenn., Terry (and Tamara) Thompson of Robinson, Texas, Tony (and Luz) Thompson of Ft. Worth, Texas, Tracy Thompson (and boyfriend Dan Anderson) of Sedalia, Mo., and Jeff (and Echo) Akers of Rushville; two brothers, Gerald (and Eloise) Richardson and Paul (and Susan) Richardson, both of Havana; five grandchildren; nine step grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Mandy Ray; nine brothers, Harold, Lawrence, Russell, Carl James, Stanley, Frank, Calvin, Ralph and Dude Richardson; and two sisters, Martha Wright and Helen Farwell.
He worked for Amax Coal Mine as a welder and helped area farmers repair their equipment. He served as president of the United Mine Workers Union.
In 1984, he moved to Missouri, where he started Richardson Welding Shop in 1985, building and repairing boat docks. He retired in 1996.
He was a member of First Baptist Church in Versailles, Mo., and Elks Lodge in Laurie, Mo.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Wood Funeral Home in Rushville with Rev. Mike Hall officiating. Burial will be in Rushville City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the family.
Condolences may be sent to www.woodfh.net.