George Jay Richardson

George Jay Richardson, age 89, died at Creekside’s health care center in Huntsville on Friday, August 29, 2014 after a long illness. He was born September 10, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois to Fred M. and Andrea C. Richardson, one of nine children who survived to adulthood. During World War II, he volunteered to become an Army Ranger. He was assigned to the First Ranger Battalion, and saw action in both North Africa and Sicily. In early 1944, nearly all of the members of his battalion were killed or captured during a battle at Cisterna, Italy. He was wounded during that battle and became a prisoner of war. He spent many months in a P.O.W. camp in what is now Poland, before escaping with another P.O.W. during a forced march that took place as Allied troops advanced into Germany shortly before the end of the war. In 1948, he married Jean Marie Dierssen, the daughter of Henry W. and Helen W. Dierssen. He worked at both a local furniture store and Sears Roebuck before beginning a long career at Shell Oil Company that included assignments in Chicago, Tulsa, New Orleans, New York, and finally Houston. After Jean’s death in 1994, Jay moved to Huntsville, and lived in Elkins Lake for many years before moving to the Carriage Inn retirement community. Survivors include sisters Betty Lillie and Beverly Zurick (Tom); children Craig Richardson of Amherst, NH (Katherine), John Richardson of Yukon, OK (Sunny), and Susan Lewis of Midway (Lee); grandchildren Ty Lewis (Jenny), Sarah Richardson, Brett Lewis (Mandy), Emily Richardson, Andrew Richardson, and Adam Richardson; great-grandchildren Addie, Carter, River and Case. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 6 at the H.E.A.R.T.S. Veteran Museum, 463 State Highway 75 North, Huntsville, Texas 77320, where Jay was active for many years. Final internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Relatives and friends are welcome at the memorial service, and at a reception immediately following at the home of Susan and Lee Lewis in Midway. Memorial contributions may be made to the H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum. Memorial condolences may be made to family online at www.shmfh.com.

George Jay Richardson

September 10, 1924 - September 6, 2014