Don Henry Richardson passed away July 21, 2022 in Pomeroy Washington, succumbing to Lymphoma. Born May 2, 1933 in Portland Oregon to Walter Vassar Richardson and Mabel Morse Richardson, Don attended Portland area schools, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1951, serving in the US Army during the Korean War era, and then attended Portland State College. Don joined Trailways Bus System as a driver, and traveled through 48 states including 9 trips to Alaska in his 13 year career. Don was in Alaska driving for Trailways during the March 27, 1964 9.2 magnitude Great Alaskan earthquake, and he successfully transported his passengers to the lower 48 states in the aftermath.

Don married Patricia Anne Perkins on February 14, 1964 in Portland Oregon and to them was born two children, Jeanine Kathleen and Robert Walter. Don spent summers during high school working on the family farm in Pomeroy Washington, and in 1973 the family moved to Pomeroy where Don took over operations of the Richardson Family Farm. Don and Pat later divorced.

Don made the most of winter downtime on the farm, and obtained and modified several buses over the years. Don’s pride and joy was a 1961 GMC 4106, formerly known as Trailways Bus 250, which was one of the buses he frequently drove during his career with Trailways. Don converted the bus to a private coach he fondly referred to as “The Blue Mountain Trail”. Don enjoyed sharing The Blue Mountain Trail with the community making many trips over the years including traveling to Spokane for the Shrine Hospital Dedication, to Walla Walla for musicals, to Pullman for Washington State Junior Miss/Young Woman of the Year competitions, wrestling tournaments, McCall Winter Carnival, Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo, Ashland with the College English students, Advanced Biology student trip, and serving as the official transportation for the wedding parties of his nephew Jeff Anderson and niece Sandra Anderson Robinson.

At various times in Don’s life he was active in the Al Kader Shrine Club, the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Lewiston Elks Club, South Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum, Cranker Club, and was a lifetime member of the Pomeroy Future Farmers of America Alumni Association. Don enjoyed driving school buses for the Pomeroy School District, and was a member of the Pomeroy Christian Church.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Vas and Mabel Richardson, brother Morse Richardson, and son-in-law Daniel Kern. Don is survived by his sister Diane Richardson Anderson (Stewart), daughter Jeanine Kathleen Richardson Kern, son Robert Walter Richardson (Kathleen), 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to:

Garfield County Hospital District 

c/o HUGS 

66 N Sixth St 

Pomeroy WA 99347 

or

Pomeroy Future Farmers of America Alumni Association

c/o Kyle Kimble

442 Smith Gulch Rd

Pomeroy WA 99347

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/don-richardson/obituary/

Copy