Thomas Webster Richardson, 81, of Ashland Circle, Bedford, died Wednesday, September 14, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jeanette Bandy Richardson; two nephews, James and Elizabeth Lakey of Maryland, Jerry and Kelly Lakey of Forest; niece; Jan Lakey of Maryland; and six great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by Webster and Sara Schoene Richardson of Blacksburg and Bedford, Virginia; and two sisters, Lee Richardson Sendelbeck and Nancy Richardson Lakey. Tom graduated from Blacksburg High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps ‘as an embassy guard in London, Paris and The Hague before resuming his education and graduating from Chowan College, NC, and Arkansas State University. His aunt, Mary Lee Richardson Harvey Cake, asked him to help run the family business of The Bedford Bulletin and Print Shop in Bedford, Virginia and he became Vice President of Bedford Bulletin, Inc. and manager of the Print Shop for many years. He was active and an officer in many civic and flying groups including: The Big Otter Mill Association, Public Library Commission, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, Bedford Rifle Grays, Gobbler Club, and Rotary Club. He was a member of several pilot groups including QB’s and a glider plane group. Tom was a member of the Bedford Fire Department and was made a lifetime member. He was elected Elk of the Year and Fireman of the year. A private service will be held in October when his family gathers at their cabin near the Peaks of Otter. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
