Mr. Edgar Richardson, Sr.

A Tribute to a Life Well Lived “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Lord.” — Matthew 25:23 Edgar "Ed" Louis Richardson, Sr. was born on June 6, 1945, in Wyco, West Virginia. He was the seventh child born to General Richardson and Dorothy Hamilton Richardson. His siblings—Beulah, Robert, William, James, Van, and Viola—preceded him in transition. Ed was affectionately called “Snoogie” while growing up in Wyco. He graduated from Conley High School in Mullens, West Virginia. After graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C., where several of his older siblings had already settled. While there, the family joined in the historic March on Washington and witnessed the powerful speech delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ed later enrolled at Howard University, where he became a leading player on the basketball team. He served in the dual role of captain and sixth man, and the team participated in several CIAA Tournaments. Ed married Wilma McClendon, and together they made Washington, D.C., their home. In 1970, he was selected to participate in a program designed by Whitney Young of the National Urban League. Through this initiative, he was appointed Executive Director of the Lake County, Illinois Urban League. In this role, his mission was to expand employment opportunities for minority citizens in the county. Working with an Executive Board composed of corporate officers throughout the region, Ed developed a unique ability to achieve meaningful results by building strong relationships and engaging in respectful discourse. When the family later moved to Kansas City, Ed began a career in automobile sales that would span four decades. He held positions with Jay Wolfe Honda and, most recently, Kwik Auto Finance. His strong sense of integrity and genuine kindness helped him build lasting relationships with the people he met—often serving multiple generations within the same families. Ed was a man of strength, grounded in his love for the Lord. He was a devoted father to his children and grandchildren—who lovingly knew him as “PaPa”—and a mentor to many others along the way. Planting a garden and sharing his vegetables brought him great joy, as did the blessing of each new day. He loved cooking for his family and believed that good food was both therapy and comfort. Today, both of his sons proudly carry on that legacy. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 60 years, Wilma; two sons, Ed Jr. (Esther) and Jabari Lateef (Dayna); seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; seven nieces; eight nephews; his forever brother-in-law, Joseph Jackson; his chosen brother, Moses A. Wilds; and many other loving family members and dear friends. To say he will be missed is a given; his memory will remain forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Though he has taken his rest, the love he gave, the lessons he shared, and the legacy he built will live on through every life he touched. Funeral services Friday, March 13, 2026 at 11:00am at Friendship Baptist Church. Interment XII Gates Memorial Gardens. Visitation Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Lawrence A. Jones & Sons and Friday, March 13, from 9:00am-11:00am at the church. Services conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Mr. Edgar Richardson, Sr.

June 6, 1945 - February 23, 2026