Keep On Keepin On…

Charles Theodore Richardson, Jr., passed away peacefully surrounded by family while his favorite jazz music played in the background on October 23, 2016.
Born in San Francisco, California to Charles and Harriet (Sands) Richardson on
February 19, 1929. Charles was the first of 10 children; brothers, Robert Richardson, Louis Richardson (deceased), Donald Richardson (deceased), Warren Richardson, Gerald Richardson, Joseph Richardson (deceased) Ronald Gaines and sister’s Barbara Holloway, Harriett Newell and Sharon Jones.

He left home at 16 to play baseball, his love and passion. Charles played on the barnstorming teams in the Negro Leagues with his good friend (and future best man) Gentry, having the opportunity to travel around the United States and the Philippines. While his baseball career may have ended, it didn’t stop him from staying involved in athletics, he served as a coach for little league teams, began to run marathons and went to the YMCA in Berkeley every morning.

Charles served in the army and fought in the Korean War. When he returned home he met his true love, Alice Davenport and they wed in 1953. They shared 53 years together raising their children, Charles, Kim and Alison and eventually enjoying their grandchildren, Michael, Nicholas, Ceciley, Kyle and Milo and great grandchildren, Mikayla and Caleb. He also happily welcomed his daughter-in-law Rebecca and granddaughter-in-law, Ana.

Charles, Jr. and Alice spent most of their life in Berkeley, California where he worked for the Berkeley Unified School District, Berkeley Parks and Recreation and the Berkeley Police Department. Known and loved by many in Berkeley as Rich, Daddy Rich, Mr. Richardson, Tootie or Coach he was committed to youth staying in school and on the right track.

Charles was the original organic gardener; he did his own composting and many admired the fruits of his labor as they walked by his home looking at all of the corn, tomatoes, greens, zucchini, potatoes and green beans. In addition to gardening, he was a faithful watcher of the Young and Restless, and Charles and Alice began to enjoy annual jazz cruises with Jerry and Claudia.

While in his later years he always shared that his memory was about as long as his fingernail, he never forgot his nieces and nephews that he enjoyed seeing and speaking with (Lona, Lisa, Cheryl, Gerald, Marlowe, Brian, Larry and a host of others). Family was one of the most important things to Charles and he especially loved being surrounded by his grandchildren and great grandchildren, always sharing with anyone who would listen how proud he was of his smart and athletic kids. Charles’ family extended beyond bloodlines to many who considered him their other dad (Peggy, Sheila, Connie, Marcia, Kenya), Grandfather (Shaun, Jahari, KeKe, Lindsey and Victoria). He also enjoyed all of the children who lived on Santa Fe Avenue, many of whom called him Uncle Charles or Grandpa.

Charles was a role model who influenced so many of whom he worked, lived with and loved. He had tremendous work ethic, integrity and passion. We are all better for having had him as a part of our life.