Obituary of James Randall Richards

Funeral Services for James Randall “Randy” Richards of Elsberry, MO will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Rev. Laura Taylor, pastor of Elsberry United Methodist Church, will officiate with burial in Oak Ridge Cemetery near Elsberry. Serving as pallbearers will be Timothy Richards, Mark Reynolds, Dave Harrelson, Jared Gramann, Charles Gutermuth and Brian Cordsiemon. Mr. Richards, 70, passed away early Thursday morning, March 2, 2023, at SSM St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis, MO. Born October 15, 1952 in St. Louis, MO, he was the son of James Sherman and Louise Shoemaker Richards, Jr. Randy was a 1970 graduate of Elsberry High School. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps from July 24, 1970 until his honorable discharge on July 21, 1972 as a Lance Corporal. Randy was united in marriage on September 1, 1973 in Elsberry to Linda Sue Gutermuth. This union was blessed with four children: Jennifer, Regina, James, Jr. and Nancy. Randy worked as an Electrician for Hercules Inc. for 31 years. From 1973-2004 he taught Conceal Carry Classes. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Louise Richards, Jr. Survivors include his beloved wife of 49 years, Sue Richards of Elsberry; their children: Jennifer Richards of Elsberry, Regina Reynolds and her husband, Mark, of O’Fallon, MO, James Randall Richards, Jr. of Elsberry and Nancy Harrelson and her husband, Dave, of Eolia, MO; and five grandchildren: Timothy Richards, Jaime Richards, Megan Harrelson, Jacob Harrelson and Tyler Harrelson. Randy also leaves other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 1100 a.m. until the time of Funeral Services at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to Central Missouri Honor Flight in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343.