PITTSBURG — Dr. “Jack” John Marceau Richardson, O.D., 86, of Pittsburg passed away at Ascension Living Via Christi Village on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
Jack was born on Jan. 18, 1939, at Mount Carmel Hospital in Pittsburg to John Raymond and Eleanora (Deruy) Richardson.
Jack graduated from Pittsburg High School with the Class of 1957, participating in student council, band, senior class president, basketball, football and more. He was the Purple and White king of 1957 alongside his future wife, Dorothy, who was queen. Jack loved baseball and spent many summers playing American Legion baseball as a pitcher.
On June 18, 1961, he married Dorothy E. Wilmoth in Pittsburg. They divorced in 2002. He and Dorothy had three children: Chris, Shari and Matt. On Aug. 7, 2006, he married Judy G. Wheeler Kerry. She survives him.
In 1961, Jack graduated from Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg, now Pittsburg State University, with a bachelor of science in chemistry. He began his studies as a chemical engineering student. During his sophomore year in 1959, he received the annual McNally Award from Dr. L.C. Heckert, chairman of physical science, for the engineering student with the highest scholastic standing. He then attended the University of Houston with a full scholarship from the Kansas Optometry Association. Jack received the outstanding sophomore student award of 1962. He graduated with his three-year doctor of optometry in 1964 and the four-year program in 1966 summa cum laude. The optometry program was a three-year program, transitioning to a four-year program while he was attending. He chose to attend the fourth year of education. In doing so, he was asked to spread the additional year over two years as he was hired to teach firstyear students. Jack was a licensed optometrist in Kansas for 45 years (1964-2009).
Jack and his family moved from Houston to Pittsburg in 1966, where he opened his practice in Pittsburg and Oswego. In 1967, he moved to Parsons to become partners with Dr. Dale Newland. From 1967 until 1985, he had his practice in Parsons and Oswego. He had professional interests in the areas of contact lenses and sports vision. In cooperation with staff at Parsons State Hospital and Training School, he researched vision assessment of individuals with developmental and learning disabilities. In 1985, he returned to his hometown of Pittsburg. He practiced in Pittsburg until 2000 and in Oswego from 1966 until 2000.
During his time in Parsons, Jack was involved in many organizations. He was a member of Kiwanis from 1967 to 1985 and served one term as president. In 1976, he served as president of the Parsons Country Club, where he and his family spent many days golfing and swimming. Jack and his wife, Dorothy, ventured to Costa Rica to provide vision exams and glasses to residents in several villages through the Volunteers of Optometric Services to Humanity in 1977. He was a member of the Parsons school board from 1978 to 1981 as a strong supporter of education and athletics.
Jack had a very special interest in youth sports. He served on the Parsons Recreation Commission and coached his children’s softball, baseball and basketball teams. In 1979, he worked valiantly to establish a charter for the Parsons Babe Ruth Baseball League. He served as president of the league from 1979-1984. He spent many days and nights working alongside other caring community members, grooming the fields, painting, soliciting sponsors and enhancing the Winway ball park. As president, he worked hard to ensure that all kids would be able to play.
Jack enjoyed golf, baseball, photography and loved to travel. He would research his travels for months and create a detailed itinerary for every trip. Jack took his children on a vacation every year to a new location with lots of education. His children were not allowed to sleep in the car as they traveled, as he wanted them to soak in and appreciate all the differing landscapes throughout the U.S. and Europe. In 1978, he took his family and parents on a three-week adventure to Europe, where they traveled through Luxembourg, France, Austria, Germany and Switzerland. He provided his children with many lifetime experiences and memories.
In 2005, Jack moved to Joplin, Missouri. He and his wife, Judy, moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, in 2010 and returned to Pittsburg in 2015. They enjoyed traveling and entertaining friends during this time.
Jack was a big supporter of Pittsburg State University, where he attended many alumni gatherings and events and cheered on the Gorillas in baseball, basketball and football. If he was not able to attend a game, he was certain to be streaming it or listening on the radio. Jack also enjoyed watching University of Kansas basketball and the St. Louis Cardinals.
One of the most influential people in Jack’s life was his grandfather, Marceau Deruy, who became a deep shaft coal miner at age 14 alongside his brothers and father to help support his family that had immigrated from France. Jack learned his grandfather’s work ethic and kindness as a young man while working with him at Deruy Hardware and Furniture. Jack passed these qualities on to his children.
Survivors include his wife, Judy Richardson of Pittsburg; his daughter, Shari (Michael) Brogan of Pittsburg; his first wife, Dorothy Richardson of Pittsburg; four grandchildren, Lauren (Jonathan) Wright of Overland Park, Jared (Susannah) Brogan of Kansas City, Kansas, Zach (Aria) Richardson of San Diego, California, and Dante (Brenna) Richardson of Madison, Wisconsin; a great-grandchild, Jordan Wright; a sister, Sue Rickman of Appleton, Wisconsin; and a nephew and three nieces.
Other than his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his sons, John C. “Chris” Richardson and Matthew “Matt” D. Richardson.
The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26, followed by the service at 11 a.m. at Timmons Chapel, 409 E. Ford, at Pittsburg State University.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Pittsburg State University. These may be sent to Pittsburg State University Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 4005, Pittsburg, KS, 66762.
