T.R. Richardson

T homas "T.R." Richardson was born June 7, 1944, at Valentine, NE, to George and Emma Richardson.  He peacefully passed away at his home southeast of Hershey on January 11, 2025, at the age of 80.

T.R. grew up in Keya Paha County, NE, and graduated from Keya Paha County High School.  He was raised on a farm and learned (from his dad) to farm the old fashioned way with hardwork and doing things himself.

In 1962 T.R. married his high school sweetheart, Mary Hallock, and they made their home on a ranch south of Valentine.  He worked hard to provide for his wife and their sons, often working multiple ag jobs.  His work took the family to Gering in 1967 then to North Platte a couple years later.  By 1989 Mary and T.R. settled on their place southeast of Hershey.

T.R. worked on a ranch south of Valentine, then worked for the Nebraska Brand Committee and later was a livestock inspector with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.  He was also a farrier (shod horses), owned Country Livestock Supply for 6 years, and was a boiler maker on the Union Pacific Railroad.  He spent his retirement years working at the North Platte Sale Barn.

T.R. was a member of the Eagle's and the Hershey Methodist Church.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing but loved working with animals and the people he met through his ag jobs.  When the boys were young, he was a Boy Scout leader and was one of the first certified Hunter Safety instructors in Lincoln County.

T.R. will be remembered as a hard working man who was dedicated to his family and was a cowboy at heart.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary; son, Thomas, Jr. (Stephanie) of Hershey; grandchildren, Trisha Richardson Nitz, Justin Richardson (Maegan), Tanya Bauer (Micky Wheeler), Tara Lehn (Zaven) and Sarah Forst (Jared); 14 great-grandchildren and 6 great great-grandchildren; his sisters, Pauline Pilkington and Emily Bartlett (Dean); sister-in-law, Barbara Richardson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family.

T.R. was preceded in death by his parents, George and Emma; brothers, Leo, Henry "Hank" and George "Butch"; brothers-in-law, Richard Pilkington, Ken Harp and Henry Newland; sister-in-law, Inez; sisters, Betty Harp and Frances "Frankie" Newland; and his son, David.

Celebration of T.R.'s life will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, January 16, at the North Platte Stockyard Sale Barn (2200 East 8th Street) with Pastor John Sexson officiating.  You are strongly encouraged to wear your comfortable, casual attire.  Inurnment will follow in the North Platte Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.  Visitation is Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and with family greeting from 4-6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Game & Parks Foundation or the donor's choice.