Donald "Don" L. Richardson

Donald L. "Don" Richardson, 96, Wausau died Thursday, October 20, 2016 at his home surrounded by family, while under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice. He was born October 15, 1920 in Trenton, New Jersey, son of the late Leslie and Elizabeth (Stout) Richardson. On April 25, 1981, he married Carol (Palecek) Hougum at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. She survives. Don attended Hamilton High School in New Jersey where he excelled at all sports. He played baseball, tennis and football while in high school. After graduation, he attended Wake Forest College (Winston-Salem, NC) on a baseball scholarship. While attending college, Pearl Harbor was bombed and he heard President Roosevelt announce to the country that 'we have been attacked and we are at war.' Don left school that very day and enlisted in the U.S. Navy to fight for his country during World War II. He spent his time in the Atlantic theater as a plane captain patrolling for subs on a PBM Mariner (patrol bomber by Martin). Don proudly served his country in the United States Navy from December 1941 until September 1945. He had married Marion Hufford in 1944 and, after the war, returned to Rider College (Lawrenceville, NJ) and finished his bachelor's degree in Marketing via night school. Don spent over 60 years working in automotive sales & marketing, including Valley Forge Products and General Battery as V.P. of Marketing. After living more than 50 years in the Northeast, he moved to Wisconsin to own/operate Badger Battery out of Edgar. His first wife Marion had passed due to cancer in 1979 and he was later introduced to his future wife Carol during a wedding reception. They married in 1981 and he inherited two children! Don was a member of the Edgar Lions Club, American Legion, and was a Eucharistic Minister at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. Don was introduced to the game of golf while in the Navy. He became an avid golfer with nearly a scratch handicap while in his prime. His wife, children, and son-in-law will greatly miss those rounds of golf. In addition, Don, Carol and their family enjoyed taking trips in the USA and abroad. Spending time with his family and friends was very important to Don. He looked forward to the holidays when everyone was together. Don dearly loved being a grandfather and treasured the time he spent with his grandchildren. He was an avid fan of the Packers and Wisconsin sports, but as the years went by he especially enjoyed the Brewers. Lastly, one of his fondest memories was going to Washington D.C. as part of the Never Forgotten Honor Flight at the age of 92. When asked, he said his only regret is that he wasn't able to play professional baseball after his tryout in New York. Survivors include his wife Carol Richardson, Wausau, his children, Guy Richardson, Burbank, CA, Cynthia (Shree Vasan) Hougum, Brookfield, and Alan (Tracy) Hougum, Wausau, and three grandchildren, Rachel Vasan, Johanna Hougum, and Parker Hougum. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Marion Richardson, one son, Jeffrey Richardson, his brother, Robert Richardson, and his sister, Alberta Kelly. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 24, 2016 at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. The Rev. Thomas Huff & Monsignor Delbert Malin will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau and again on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com