Charles Breckenridge Richardson III

Charles, age 80, passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was born at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia. Charles grew up in Decatur, Georgia and was a student at St. Thomas More Elementary and later graduated from Marist Military High School. He was a proud Air Force Veteran, who served in Dobbins, Keesler, and Okinawa. While stationed in Keesler, Charles went to visit his high school friend at Tulane, and he fell in love again with New Orleans. In Okinawa, he was a radar operator during the Vietnam War. During the war, he was taught the skill of bartending, and with that skill he later worked at many restaurants and bars. Charles was in the “bar rescue” business before it was a thing. In 1970, Charles met the love of his life, Cathy. He said it was “love at first sight”. They got engaged in 1972 and married in 1978. When Cathy said she wanted to do nursing in NOLA, Charles said “Lets Geaux”. Charles was part of the Knight of Columbus Council #714 as a Past Grandknight and a lead usher at mass. He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish and school, where he was the bus driver, cook, and prize cart pusher at the school fair. He was big into volunteering at the public library in Lakeview, at his son’s cub and boy scout troops, and at his daughter’s dance school, Ballet Hysell, by raising money for the school by selling drinks in the summer, sweeping the floor, and being Mr. Backstage/Security Dad. Charles ended up on the Board of Director of Ballet Hysell and he was very proud of that and very proud of every dancer there. He continued the tradition by becoming a Dance Grandpa and taking his granddaughter (and youngest best buddy) to dance at Rockaway Beach Dance Company in NY. Charles helped raise her in NY and loved walking on the boardwalk, going to the library, and going to Block Beach 122 where he loved all his neighbors. He was proud to be a part of his granddaughter’s CHD/ Half of a Heart fight and journey and was thankful for the care she received at NYU and Maimonides as well as the early intervention, doctors, nurses, and home health nurses she had in NY. He enthusiastically called Bingo numbers while living on the Rez, volunteering, loved gardening, and was seldom seen without a book. Charles loved all forms of the arts: painting, coloring, dancing, operas, and all music. He loved jazz, Louisiana zydeco, Irish, and rock & roll. He loved Jazz Fest and could be found at Jazz or Economy Hall Tents and loved seeing the small acts because he knew they would make it big. Charles loved holidays, especially dressing up on Mardi Gras and dancing, passing out toys instead of candy for Halloween, and being Santa’s helper on Christmas and making Christmas joyful for other families. He was known for his long beard and hair, funky suspenders, bowties, belly laugh, and his jazz, flannel, or Hawaiian shirts. Charles never met a stranger and was always the life of the party. He wanted a smile on everyone’s face and never tears. Charles always offered a shoulder for someone to lean on. He lived the phrase “In a world where you can be anything, be kind”. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cathy Richardson; son, Charles B. Richardson IV; daughter, Katie E. Richardson; granddaughter, Charleigh Jolene-Maria Richardson; brother, Patrick R.; sisters, Jeannie M., Julie B., and Rachel M.; brothers-in-law, Keith M. and Jerry M.; nephews, Christian C., Alan F., Jason M., Josh M., Arthur M., Scott R., and Alan R.; niece, Laurie R; a variety of extra nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends that became family- y’all know who y’all are. Charles is preceded in death by his father, Charles B. Richardson II; mother, Jewell Mauldin; bonus dad, George White Mauldin; bonus mom, Carol Duane Sanders; mothers-in-law, Joyce E. Busher and Alberta Whitman; father-in-law, Harlan Whitman; brother, James Edward Richardson; sister, Laurie Lee Richardson- Colburn; brothers-in-law, Harry Brown and Tim Colburn. Charles loved all things Irish, so raise a glass of Tullamore Dew Whiskey in honor of his love, humanity, kindness, and his life. The family would like to thank Passages Hospice, his nurse Andreka, and his CNA Stacey. They made his last two weeks of his life comfortable and with dignity and brought comfort and compassion to the family. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a visitation from the chapel of Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home, 1190 Hwy 51 N. Ponchatoula, LA 70454, on Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The visitation will continue Friday, April 19, 2024 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 4640 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119 from 1:00 p.m. until the Funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Rosaryville Cemetery in Ponchatoula. Condolences and other information may be found at www.thompsoncares.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home.

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Charles Breckenridge Richardson III

August 4, 1943 - April 9, 2024