Hardie Lee Richards

Hardie Lee Richards, 95 of Holyoke, Colorado passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2022 in Holyoke.

Graveside services will be held at a later date at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.  A Celebration of Life will also be held at a later date in Holyoke, Co.  This site will be updated when service times and dates become available.  Arrangements are under the direction of Baucke Funeral Home, 1220 SW Interocean Dr., Holyoke, CO 80734.

Hardie was born on November 8, 1926 in Vera, Texas to Ruben Flowers and Hester Malinda Randolph Richards.  On March 4, 1945, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the Marine Corp and served until 1947.  He was on a ship headed for Japan to be reinforcements for the Japan invasion at the end of WWII when they dropped the Atom Bomb.  After his enlistment was up he was in the Marine reserves until being called up for active duty for the Korean War where he was a section leader of a machine gun crew.  He oversaw 25 to 30 other men as a Staff Sergeant.  He was a purple heart recipient after taking shrapnel to his shoulder during an intense firefight.

Hardie married his wife, Betty on February 4, 1953 in Vinita, Oklahoma.  He received a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Oklahoma A&M which is now Oklahoma State University and later a Masters degree in Animal Nutrition.  Hardie worked as an Animal Nutritionist at Ferrara Farms in St. Francisville, LA, he was a health inspector for the city and county in Denver and he was the co-owner, along with his son, Steve, of Golden Valley Transportation in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 65 years, Betty Richards; his son, Steve Richards; a step-grandson, Jackson; 3 sisters, Sibyle Archer, Mary Frances Welch and Tommie Roberson and 1 brother, Billie Richards.

Hardie enjoyed reading, watching news stories, and most of all, watching Gunsmoke and John Wayne movies.

Hardie is survived by 2 sons, Ron and Cherie Richards and Tony and Michelle Richards; his daughter-in-law and primary caregiver, Debbie Richards; a sister, Jan Charles; 5 grandchildren, Kimberly, David, Lacey, Jeremy (Christina) and Crystal and 10 great grandchildren, Austin, Kailee, Emma, Alexis, Addison, Logan, Morgan, Anthony, Andrew and Axel.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Disabled American Veterans in the name of SSG Hardie Richards or a charity of your choice.