Leonard Jerry Richmond

Leonard Jerry Richmond passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, March 24, 2023 at the age of 94. Jerry lived a long, happy life, filled with loving family and friends, and years of service to others.  

Jerry was born on May 18, 1928 to Curtis Elzie Richmond and Oma Dickerson Richmond in Wiergate, a sawmill town in Newton County, Texas. He and his older siblings, Mattie, Bob and Hazel, enjoyed the pleasures of rural, small town life. When the sawmill closed in 1942, the family moved to Beaumont, Texas.  Jerry attended Beaumont High School, graduating in 1946. During the summer in high school, Jerry delivered prescriptions on his bicycle for Bill Thames Pharmacy and worked as an usher at the Jefferson Theater in downtown Beaumont.    

After high school, Jerry attended Air Conditioning school at Lamar College. He often remarked “there was no air conditioning back then!” He enjoyed playing softball with Roberts Avenue Methodist Church, and was on the Beaumont City Champs team in 1950.  Jerry went to work for Texas Gulf Sulphur Company in Beaumont in 1951. He began in the warehouse, and worked there for 32 years until retiring as Purchasing Manager in the Beaumont office. 

Jerry was proud to be a United States veteran, joining the National Guard in 1948. Seven years later, his unit was transitioned to the United States Army Reserve. Jerry retired as Sergeant Major after 25 years of service to his country. After retirement, he enjoyed monthly coffee with friends from the Reserve, reminiscing about their times at annual summer camp.  

Jerry met his future wife, Gloria Greer, while she was a nursing student at Hotel Dieu in Beaumont. They married July 26, 1951, and lived in Beaumont until they decided to move out to “the country.” In 1963, they moved to the Chance Loeb area (which became the city of Lumberton) in Hardin County and raised their four children, Linda, Robbie, Cheryl and David,  there. 

Jerry was very active in his community, helping to pass the bond issue to build the first high school in Lumberton in 1967. He served on the Lumberton School Board, and was President of the LHS Band Boosters. He was a member of the Lumberton Lions Club, serving as President in 1972.   

After retirement, Jerry and Gloria enjoyed sharing their home with friends and family, especially their grandchildren. They were active members of Woodcrest United Methodist Church and the Harvest Class. They enjoyed traveling through Texas and Louisiana, and special trips to Nantucket Island and the Hawaiian Islands. Jerry and Gloria celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2001 with a large gathering of family and friends.

Jerry lost his wife Gloria to cancer in 2004, but he continued serving his community. He worked with the Trinity Methodist Army and Woodcrest Crew, building many wheelchair ramps in the local area. He was an active member of the Silsbee Masonic Lodge #927 and Lumberton Masonic Lodge #1430. 

In 2008, Jerry reconnected with a gal from Beaumont High, Ann Bain McGown. Jerry and Ann had not seen each other in 61 years, and surprised their family and friends by marrying in 2011. They loved visiting with their combined families and grandchildren, whether at home or traveling to North Carolina for a grandchild’s wedding. They especially enjoyed meals at Saltgrass Steak House, usually with a margarita or martini.  Ann passed away in 2019 after enjoying eight years of marriage with Jerry. 

Jerry was known for his friendly, fun loving and outgoing personality, and is often described as “one of a kind.” He will be greatly missed by his children Linda Richmond, Cheryl Emerson and David (Amanda) Richmond, grandchildren Patrick (Georgiana) Berg, Brandy Richmond Judice, Ashley (Crystal) Welker, Alyse Welker, Alec Welker, Jenna (Josh) McGown, Niki Angleton, Ali Angleton, Michael (Jill) McGown, and eight great-grandchildren. Also his sister-in-law Ellouise McGown Richmond, cousin Clyde (Ruth) Richmond, son-in-law Rick (Betty) Berg and many nieces and nephews. 

In addition to Gloria, Ann, and his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his brother Bob Richmond, sisters Mattie Williams and Hazel Freeman, son Robbie Richmond, sons-in-law Steve Emerson and Mark Welker. 

Per Jerry’s wishes, his cremated remains will be buried at Old Hardin Cemetery in Kountze, Texas. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.  

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Cancer Society. 

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