Grant Theodore Richards

Grant T. Richards, 104, passed away on May 8, 2024 at the StoneBridge Senior Living facility in Osage Beach.

Grant’s story began on January 30, 1920 on a farm near Sandusky Michigan. He lived his early childhood in Carsonville, Michigan until the family migrated to Missouri. After residing in Gilford and Cameron, Missouri, the Richards family relocated to Bunceton, Missouri when he was 12. A life-long profession of newspaper publication began with the purchase of the Bunceton Eagle. Grant graduated from Bunceton High School in 1938.

In 1937, his parents sought an opportunity with more potential and purchased the Reveille newspaper in Camdenton. Grant remained in Bunceton to finish school and assist with running the Bunceton Eagle. Grant’s parents purchased the Central Missouri Leader in Camdenton while Grant remained in Bunceton. He continued working in Bunceton after his 1938 graduation as he had met the love of his life, Frances Marie, who lived close by in Boonville.

Grant moved to St. Louis in 1942, during WWII, to attend Curtis Wright Sheet Metal school. After completing the courses, Curtis Wright hired Grant to assist with building airplanes at Lambert Field. When it became apparent that he would be drafted, he enlisted in the Navy. His first station was the Navy Air Core at Lambert Field, St. Louis. On November 8, 1942, after completing basic training, he married his high school sweetheart, Frances Marie. They purchased a home in Camdenton and she joined Grant’s parents in operating the Reveille and Central MO Leader.

After the honeymoon, Grant transferred from Air Core to small boat operations. In early 1943, his unit departed California for their place in the pacific conflict. His boat’s responsibility was as port directors off the coast of Iwo Jima re-fueling B-29 bombers.

When the war in the pacific ended, he returned to the states and was discharged from the Navy on November 7, 1945, one day before his third wedding anniversary. With Frances waiting in Camdenton, he came home to start his lifetime at the lake working in newspaper publication.

The first week home from WWII, he became a member of the Camdenton Rotary Club. For 78 years, he recorded perfect attendance at Rotary meetings receiving numerous recognitions from Rotary and Rotary International for his attendance. Covid did not prevent Grant from attending the meetings, as Zoom Rotary meetings became a part of his life. During his temporary relocation to Overland Park, KS he continued attendance via Zoom. In October 2023, hospitalization and his health prevented continued attendance ending the 78 year perfect record.

Grant’s life in Camdenton was full of assisting his dad with the newspaper, becoming a father, and actively supporting his friends and the town he loved. In addition to Rotary, Grant was active with the Camdenton Booster Club and the Saddle Club. In 1950, he purchased 180 acres adjoining the Camdenton city limits to begin living his dream of owning and showing horses. He shared this dream with his children as the family began riding and showing horses all over the US. While operating a horse farm and showing horses, he continued with the full-time job of newspaper publication. In 1978 he was named the MO Quarter Horse Association Man of the Year.

In 1980, the newspaper sold and Grant and Frances retired. The horse farm continued until MODOT took acreage, including the barns and riding pens, to build the Hwy. 5 bypass. Grant and Frances travelled in retirement and purchased a travel trailer for their explorations. The favorite destination became Branson, MO where they made friends with other couples who also enjoyed the travel trailer experience. The friendships continued until members of the group were deceased. Grant was the survivor of the group.

Grant continued an active life with a daily routine of a McDonald’s Coffee group and then to the Camdenton Senior Center for lunch and socialization. Rotary continued weekly as did attendance at the Laclede Cowboy Church. In 2003 he was honored as Grand Marshal of the 53rd Dogwood Festival Parade.

Grant’s 100th birthday was celebrated with the McDonald’s coffee club at McDonald’s and again with the community at the Camdenton Senior Center. MO Legislature honored him with a flag flown in his honor at the capitol in Jefferson City and a special resolution.

COVID ended Grant’s social life as he knew it. He relocated to Overland Park, KS with his daughter in 2020 where he resided until his health dictated the need for long-term care. He wanted to go home to the lake and chose the StoneBridge Senior Living facility in Osage Beach as his final residence.

Grant was preceded in death by his wife Frances Marie, his wife of 58 years, his parents G. T. and Mary Richards, his brother and sister-in-law Gomer and Lillian, an infant brother, one niece Pat Richards, and all of his in-laws.

He is survived by his son John Theodore (Ted) (Carolyn) of Argyle, TX, a daughter Susan Richards Bredeman of Overland Park, KS, one granddaughter Jennifer Wood (Mark) of Rollinsville, CO, a grandson James Michael (Mike) of Ashland, OR, and a cousin Colleen Smith (James) of Sandusky, MI. He is also survived by a group of loving nieces and nephews.

Grant did not want a funeral or in his words “just take me to the cemetery and plant me”. The family wants to greet friends and share memories at a visitation on Tuesday, May 21st from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri.  Burial will follow on Wednesday, May 22 at 11:00 am in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Boonville, MO. He will receive Military Honors at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the funeral home that the family will distribute in honor of Grant.

From Ted and Susan:

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Having been blessed to have a father for over 70 years of our lives we have observed and shared in his experiences. We learned it takes a loving and caring community like Camdenton, a Rotary Club, a McDonalds coffee club, a Senior Citizens Center, a Cowboy Church, a Saddle Club, and much more to raise a centenarian. Thank you to everyone who contributed to dad’s life.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri.