JAMES POLK RICHARDS

J.P. RICHARDS

Funeral for James Polk Richards Sr. of Rusk was at 10 a.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Atoy Cemetery.

Mr. Richards died Oct. 2 after a brief illness. He and the former Genelle Holcomb were married Aug. 28, 1948. He served with distinction and honor during World War II. He and his unit were awarded Presidential citations for actions during the Battle of the Bulge. Among his medals was the Air Medal which he received in February 1945 for the Christmas 1944 flight from Marseille, France, to Bastogne to help save encircled paratroopers in the Battle of the Bulge.

He was well known in the community and was a long-time businessman. He and his wife operated Richards Grocery and Cafeteria on the square in Rusk for many years.

Mr. Richards was a past president of the Rusk Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Rotary Club. He was one of nine members on the City of Rusk Board of Managers, charged with directing the establishment of the Texas State Railroad State Historical Park. During their 59 years of marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Richards traveled extensively throughout the world.

Preceding him in death were his father and mother, John and Evie Richards, and his brother, Chesley Richards.

Survivors are his wife, Genelle Richards; four children including two daughters and a son-in-law, Cathy and Ray Penn and Debra Richards and two sons and daughters-in-law, James Polk (Jimmy) Jr. and Jan Richards and R.W. (Ricky) and Cindy Richards; six grandchildren, Eric Trayce Penn, James Wesley Penn, Sarah Rheagan Penn, Joe Bryce Penn, Misty Richards and Ashlen Ann Richards; a number of nieces, nephews and extended family.

Pallbearers were Bryan Seldon, Richard Massingill, David Long, David Wallace, Robert Jenkins and Raymond Ross Vermillion.

Honorary pallbearers were Elmer Kennedy, Orville Graham, Levi Smallwood, Dickie McGaughey, Larry Long, Neill Holcomb, Caleb Richards, Joshua Richards, William May, Johnnie McKay and the Rev. Charles Haley. O.T. Allen & Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.