Jacob Peter Richards

Captain Jacob Peter Richards V Jacob Peter Richards was born on May 27, 1945 in Columbus, Ohio. He passed peacefully at sunrise in his home at the age of 74 on December 22, 2019 surrounded by his beloved wife and daughters. He fought a courageous battle against the rare brain cancer, glioblastoma, for three years all the while uplifting everyone around him with reassuring hope, gratitude, and faith. His father was a veterinarian and his mother an artist. The family moved to Battle Creek, Michigan in 1948 where Jake was raised along with his older sister and younger brother. He graduated from Lakeview High School in 1963 and went on to attend the University of Michigan from 1963 – 1967 where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business. Jake later earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from West Texas A&M University in 1979 and then became a certified public accountant in 1983. He was henceforth known to family and friends as ‘The Tax Man’. Inspired to serve, he joined the United States Air Force where he flew with The Fighting Eagles of the 334th Tactical Fighter Squadron from 1968 until his honorable discharge in 1972. While working for Union Carbide in Chicago, he noticed a beautiful young woman in an elevator of the Carbide and Carbide office building. She was obscuring a magazine with an invoice and he commented that he liked her subterfuge. Jake and Mary Ann were married in Chicago, Illinois on December 28, 1968. They were blessed to have two daughters, sons in-law, and an amazing grandson. Robin Marie was born on August 22, 1970 and Alison Suzanne was born on May 19, 1976. Grandson, Jacob David Shih, was born on October 16, 2009. Jake wholeheartedly believed he was truly blessed in life, love, and especially family. He uplifted all fortunate to know him though fiercely protected and supported his loving wife, his girls, his grandson, nieces, and nephews. The family moved to Amarillo, Texas in 1977 where Jake built a career as Chief Financial Officer of Amarillo Gear Company until his retirement in 2010. A lifelong community advocate as well as a passionate volunteer, Jake served as president of the board of directors of Catholic Family Service, president of the Serra Club of Amarillo, and president of the Rotary Club of Amarillo. He also served as a dedicated parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Amarillo, Texas and later St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Plantersville, Texas. Jake and Mary Ann retired to a golf course in Walden on Lake Conroe in Montgomery, Texas in 2011 where they enjoyed playing golf, playing bridge, traveling, entertaining family and friends, and especially spending time with their beloved grandson. Jake is preceded in death by his parents, Jacob Peter Richards IV and Patricia Atwell Richards. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann Richards of Montgomery, Texas; son-in-law and daughter, Dr. David and Robin Marie Shih of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; grandson, Jacob David Shih of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; daughter, Alison Suzanne Posey of Houston, Texas; sister, Kathy Evans of Battle Creek, Michigan; brother, Scott Richards of Clermont, Florida; along with many many nieces and nephews he loved so very dearly. A Catholic Mass will be said to honor and celebrate Jake at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Plantersville, Texas on February 8, 2020 at 10:30am, burial and reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jake Richards Memorial Fund: gofundme.com/f/gofundmecomjake-richards-memorial

Jacob Peter Richards

May 27, 1945 - December 22, 2019