Kenneth Lee Richardson, Sr.

Kenneth Lee Richardson, Sr., age 86, of Tuscaloosa, went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 4, 2023. Visitation will be Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at Magnolia Chapel North. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, November 10, 2023, at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa. Burial will follow in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park with Magnolia Funeral Home North directing. 

He was preceded in death by his sister, Pamela Richardson Mathis; Parents Kenneth Earnest Richardson and Othella Agnew Richardson; and his loving, devoted wife, Betty.
He is survived by his sister, Gail R. Campbell of Gardendale, AL.

Ken was born on July 25, 1937, in Kansas City, KS.  He fostered the love of baseball that followed him throughout his life, whether that was in high school, minor leagues and even in the Army.  In 1958, he joined the United States Army Reserve I Corps Artillery where he spent several years.  During his service, he served in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1960.  He attended the University of Kansas and Birmingham Southern College prior to graduating from the University of Alabama in 1971, where he continued his support as an alumni for many years.  He was an avid UA basketball and football supporter.  Ken LOVED all things Crimson Tide.  He forged lifetime friendships through the love of golf that followed him from Tuscaloosa Country Club to Indian Hills. Ken spent many years as a mortgage banker where, through his job, his clients became his best friends.  

Ken never met a stranger. To know him was to love him and his infectious personality.  He loved everyone as if they were family.  He was a charmer, and this is how he met his beautiful, loving wife, Betty.  They were married for 45 wonderful years. He had four children. Two with Betty; Kelley Richardson McMillan (Allen), and Jennifer Richardson Herring (Kevin). He also had two children from a previous marriage; Kenneth Lee Richardson, Jr (Christi), and Kristi Richardson Gregory (Jeff). He was affectionately known as Papa to his nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, of which are Trey Richardson (Brittany), Amanda Jackson, Anna McMillan Taylor (Jordan), Allie McMillan, Olivia Bradberry, Ethan and Ella Gregory, Corbin and Campbell Richardson, Lee, Carter, Casey, and Josie Richardson and Sophie Jackson.

Pallbearers are Allen McMillan, Kevin Herring, Jeff Gregory, Ethan Gregory, Jordan Taylor, S.T. Bunn, Hal Thurmond, and Dicky Zeanah.

Honorary Pallbearers are the staff at the 19th Hole of Indian Hills, Dr. Brian Wilhite, the Agape Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa, and the countless friends that were part of Ken’s life.  

We would like to express our love and appreciation to all family, friends and neighbors, with a special thank you to The Crossings, DCH Tuscaloosa ICU and Hospice of West Alabama nurses and staff.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama or in memory of Ken at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa, 721 Greensboro Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.

¨I am ready to play that beautiful golf course that goes on forever, have a perfect swing, walk the streets of gold, and be with Betty.¨  -Ken Richardson 11/3/2023