Thomas Richards

Thomas C. Richards, 67, of Clear Lake, died Sunday, April 19, 2015, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minn.

  Family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m., on Friday, May 15, 2015, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake. A private service for family to celebrate Tom’s life will be held on Saturday, May 16, at the Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Clear Lake. 

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct a memorial contribution to Mayo Clinic Foundation for cancer research or Patriots for Pets in care of Jo Ellen Richards, 606 S. 12th St., Clear Lake, Iowa, 50428.

Tom was born in Omaha, Neb., the son of Charles and Dorothy (Barber) Richards.  He grew up in the Omaha area.  He went to work for Douglas County Sheriff’s Department in 1969 and worked in different divisions for over 21 years, while there he helped form the Neighborhood Watch Program.  In 1990 he was training and scheduling officers for Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, Vt. In May of 2000 he became a contractor for the US Marshal Service in Aberdeen, S.D. for seven years, until he went to work for FEMA as a Community Relations Specialist, retiring in Nov. of 2013.  He received numerous law enforcement certificates and awards during his career. 

He always conducted himself in a professional and courteous manner. He was a very talented self-taught artist starting at a very early age and has paintings all over the United States and as far away as Germany.  One of his greatest joys was completing the course at the Art Instruction Schools in 2009 with a straight A average.  He also enjoyed listening to music, cooking, and spending time with his cherished pets.

Tom was a caring and giving man who was always helping people and animals. 

Tom is survived by his wife, Jo Ellen Richards, Clear Lake; two daughters, Veronica (Michael) Ward and Alexis (Bill) Plendl, both of Omaha, Neb.; step-son, Joshua Larsen, Clear Lake; three grandchildren, Belle Ward, Trinity Plendl and Liam Plendl; two sisters, Lynn (Dave) Busch and Cheryl (Jeff) Clark, both of Omaha; one brother, Dan (Shirl) Page, Wylie, Texas; sister-in-law, Judy Forbes, Ottumwa, Iowa; nieces, Stephanie Borman, Elyse DeTurk, Sarah Hoeppner and Kelly Busch, all of Omaha. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.  

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.