Charles Frederick Richardson Sr.

Charles "Charlie" Frederick Richardson, Sr., 77, of La Plata, MD, passed away suddenly on October 23. He was the beloved husband of 56 years to Joan Richardson and the loving father of Pam Eckard (Chuck), Chuck Richardson (Diane), Tracy Richardson (Sheila), and Elizabeth Shuff (Charlie). He was the adoring grandfather of Erica and Charlie Richardson (Chuck and Diane), Addison and Adrian Richardson (Tracy and Shelia), and C.J., Emily, Gabby, Kendall, Brooklyn, and William Shuff (Elizabeth and Charlie). Charlie was preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Marie Richardson, and his brother, Ken Richardson. Charlie was born on July 31, 1945 and raised on the family farm in Aquasco, MD. He graduated from Gwynn Park High School and attended community college. He began work as a station clerk / dispatcher for the Prince George's County Police Department and in 1966, he became a sworn police officer with the PGPD. During that time, Charlie and Joan had two children, Pam and Chuck. In 1968, he was activated by the Air National Guard and the young family moved to Florida. When he completed that assignment, they moved back to Clinton, MD and had a third child, Tracy. In 1978, the family moved to La Plata, MD where they had their fourth child, Elizabeth. They settled in La Plata and have lived there since. Charlie served with the Prince George's County Police Department for 23 years. Much of his career was spent in patrol and in K9. He had three career dogs: JR, Goober, and Monty. His K9 Goober was the first police K9 killed in the line of duty in Prince George's County. After retiring from the PGPD in 1989, Charlie joined the La Plata Police Department for ten years. During his entire time serving as a police officer, Charlie also farmed and raised tobacco. In 1997, Charlie began Richardson Construction and oversaw the building of hundreds of homes. It was at that time, he also started a men's slow pitch softball league with Charles County Parks and Recreation. He remained an active coach for more than 20 years up until he passed away. The team was like a family to him and has consisted of many of the same people who play today. The team changed from Richardson Construction to Richardson-Goudie after the two teams merged. Unbeknownst to him, Charlie was just recently nominated to be inducted into Maryland's Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame for coaching later this year. Charlie was known for his outright honesty, his desire to do well, and his ability to encourage others to be their best. He acquired these traits partly due to his own childhood and the hardships he overcame. When Charlie was 15-years-old, a hurricane destroyed the family's seasonal tobacco crop, which was a huge financial loss. To make ends meet, the family had to sell off all of their cattle. They had lost almost every source of income. Soon after, Charlie suffered the tragic and unexpected loss of his father. With the help of good friends, Charlie stayed in school and remained productive. Charlie could relate to people. He never forgot where he came from, those who helped him, and the importance of being there for those in need. He used the hardest times in his life as examples of how to persevere through tough times. Charlie cherished family, perhaps because he understood the value of family at a very young age. Charlie's greatest love was for his wife, Joan. Married 56 years, they enjoyed family gatherings, family holidays, family vacations, birthday parties, and taking long drives. His love for Joan was immeasurable. They built their life around family. When they moved to La Plata, they built a pool at the family house and their home became a hub of activitity. They lived next to all of Joan's siblings and spent many times together. They also went to mass every Sunday and to the movies as much as possible. Charlie's proudest titles were that of Dad and Pop Pop. He was involved in the lives of his children and each and every grandchild. He took pride that his two sons, Chuck and Tracy, became police officers. He loved spending time with his daughters playing cards and board games. As far as his grandchildren, he spent as much time with them as he could. He helped watch them while their parents worked, he carpooled, he went to every sporting event possible, he coached little league, and he attended every school graduation and celebrated every milestone. Charlie also had the honor of pinning the badge onto his first grandson, Lil Charlie, who became a Prince George's County Police Officer, following in his Pop Pop's footsteps. Charlie considered himself fortunate to have the opportunity to make his children and grandchildren feel loved and special and he delighted in every moment he spent with them. Charlie was a lifelong fan of the Washington Redskins, Baltimore Orioles, and Washington Nationals. He absolutely loved his lush, green lawn, farming, church dinners, Dunkin Donuts iced caramel coffee, the Minions, playing board games, watching game shows, and mathematics. In fact, he was such a math genius he taught nearly every single grandchild their multiplication charts, an accomplishment he secretly loved. It is fitting to say Charlie was indeed a family man true to the core. In every aspect of his life, he showed strength when someone needed to be lifted, love when someone felt lonely, and guidance by sharing his triumphs over his own struggles. He loved unconditionally and left this world knowing his family was taken care of and he did the best he could to be a significant part of their lives. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 28, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. until the time of a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 4590 St. Joseph Way, Pomfret, Maryland 20675. Interment to follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, St. Mary’s Avenue, La Plata, Maryland. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

Charles Frederick Richardson Sr.

July 31, 1945 - October 23, 2022