Dr. James Olin "Jim" Richards

Dr. James O. (Jim) Richards, age 76, of 300 Pine Lakes Drive, Thomaston, died Friday afternoon, September 20th, in Upson Regional Medical Center. Memorial Services will be held Saturday afternoon, September 28th, at 2 o'clock in the First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Christopher Peterson, Dr. Albert E. Simmons and Rev. William R. Conine, Jr. will officiate. The family will receive friends at Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home on Friday evening, September 27th, form 6 until 8 o'clock. Dr. Richards was a native of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He received his PHD in history from the University of Illinois. He was retired as Vice-President of Academic Affairs from Gordon College and was named Professor Emeritus of Gordon College. Dr. Richards was chairman of the Social Studies Department of Macon Jr. College when it opened and also served as chairman of the Social Studies Department at Kentucky Southern College in Louisville, Kentucky. He also was a VIP reader for 10 years in the school system. He was a member and Trustee of First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Richards served on the Session as clerk, sang in the choir for 40 years, taught Sunday School and drove the church van for a number of years. He had been chairman of the Library Board and chairman of the Thomaston Housing Authority. Dr. Richards was a Member of TUAC, the AARP and the Gilmore Center Board. At the time of his death, he was serving as a member of the Thomaston City Council and had served for the past 2 years. He was predeceased by his brother, Jerre Richards, Sr. Dr. Richards is survived by his wife - Mrs. Barbara Streetman Richards, of Thomaston; 2 daughters - Mrs. Jaimee (Beau) Nygaard, of Fairfax, Virginia; and Mrs. Paige (Frank) Wheeler, of Clayton, Georgia; 2 brothers - Mr. Ed (Jane) Richards, of Richland, Texas; and Mr. Steve (Jane) Richards, of Brentwood, Tennessee; a sister-in-law - Mrs. Trish Richards, of Franklin, Tennessee; 4 grandchildren - Nathan Wheeler and Duncan Wheeler, both of Clayton, Georgia; Eli Nygaard and James Nygaard, both of Fairfax, Virginia. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 403 Birdsong Street, Thomaston, GA 30286. Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.