James Keith "Jimmy" Richardson, 90, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, and formerly of Palestine, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA, following a stroke. He was born April, 2, 1923, in Windom, Texas in Fannin County to Earnest Earl "Mix" and Cecil Richardson and was one of six children.

He was member of the Methodist Church in Windom and Grace United Methodist Church of Palestine until retiring to Louisiana in 1981.

His friends all called him Jimmy. He worked as a radio maintainer for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, later becoming head of communications for the MPRR which later became Union Pacific Railroad. Prior to his railroad days he was an engineer and disc jockey/announcer for radio station KNET-AM.

Jimmy served his country in the US Army, serving with the Fighting 69th Infantry during World War II, reaching the rank of sergeant. He was in the Signal Corps. He was wounded while serving in Belguim and was part of the Elements of the 69th Infantry Division, 273rd Infantry Regiment that met soldiers from Russia on April 25,1945, in the vicinity of Torgau, Germany on the Elbe River. The most famous feat of the 69th Infantry Division was being the first Allies to meet up with the Soviet Army. This linkup is referred to as the day when "East Meets West".

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his first wife, Ruth Kelley Richardson; sisters Billie Kuykendall of Fort Worth, and Joycelyn Richardson of Windom; brothers, Jack Richardson of Bonham, Ben Richrdson of Ben Brook, and Mickey Richardson of Dallas.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 36 years, Elizabeth Ann who resides in Denham Springs, LA, where they made their home following his retirement from the railroad. He is also survived by a daughter, Martha Richardson Polasek and husband Frank of Palestine; a son, Fred Richardson and wife RutheAnn of Zavalla; grandchildren, Georgie Todd and husband Tim of Palestine, Keith Richardson of Frankston, Shawn Edwards and wife Cathy of Palestine, Jaye Curtis and wife Jen of Lincoln, NE, and Don McBride and wife Kathy of Onalaska; several great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

A memorial service is planned in Palestine.
Date and time are to be determined.
Internment will be in Denham Springs, LA.