Judson “Judd” Richardson III, 76, passed away at his home in Laurel Park on Sunday, December 11, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, Colonel Judson C. Richardson, Jr., and Barbara Richardson.
Judd was born in 1946 in New Bern, NC while his father, Colonel Judson C. Richardson, Jr. was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point. He was a graduate of McLean High School in McLean, VA and a 1967 graduate of High Point University where he was an officer in the Lambda Chi Fraternity. Judd met the love of his life, Carolyn, in 1968 and they married on February 15, 1969. Their love endured through all of life’s changes and challenges until Carolyn preceded him in death in 2015. Judd entered the Marine Corp in 1969 and was where he attained the rank of Captain as a Marine Naval Flight Officer for F-4 Phantom Jets. He was discharged from active duty in April of 1973 and honorably discharged in March of 1977. After his military service he began his career in real estate in Goldsboro, NC. He served as a manager, broker-in-charge and multiple community leadership roles for the boards, first in Goldsboro, Beaufort, SC, Asheville and then Hendersonville. His most recent role was as the Vice President and Managing Broker at Beverly-Hanks in the Hendersonville Office, until his retirement in 2014. His passion for his community was apparent in his service through Lion’s Club, Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs. In retirement Judd found great solace and support through his service on the board of Four Seasons Hospice. He was also a constant presence on the golf courses at both the Hendersonville Country Club and Etowah Country Club. Judd and Carolyn enjoyed traveling, visiting wineries and dancing and singing along to beach music, all along the way. If you ever spoke to Judd for more than 10 minutes you would hear the joy and pride in his voice as he spoke of his daughter Lori, his son-in-law Tim and his granddaughter Ashley.
Judd is survived by his daughter, Lori DeGeus and her husband Tim; his granddaughter, Ashley all of Raleigh, NC.; a sister, Susan Portera and her husband Joe of West Point, MS; three nephews, Brian Portera, Todd Flagg, and Anthony Flagg; two nieces, Stephanie Bristow and Cynthia Lyon.
A funeral service will be at 12:00 noon on Saturday, December 17, 2022 in The Chapel in The Pines of Jackson Funeral Service. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
Services have been entrusted to Jackson Funeral Service.