Thomas Steve Richardson

Ret. CW4 Thomas Steve Richardson, passed away peacefully in his Savannah, GA home this past Sunday, February 10, 2019 at the age of 70.

Thomas was born on December 8th, 1948, in Newberry County, to Thomas Leon Richardson and Margaret Alene Dowd Richardson.  He was married to Susan Cousins Richardson of Chapin. They were blessed with many years together, and celebrated their 49th Wedding Anniversary on December 27th, 2018.  Thomas is survived by his wife along with his only daughter, Laurie Ann( Nick ) Sterguis and his two grand-daughters, Annie Lee (Stephen) Smith, and Lauren Savannah Richardson, his son-in-law Nicholas Sterguis and Grandson-in-law Stephen Smith. He is pre-ceded by his parents along with his Fraternal Grand parents,  Veta Lenora Kibler Richardson and James Leo Richardson, and his Maternal Grandparents Eva Shealy Dowd and Wilbur Dowd.

In 1967 Thomas graduated from Mid Carolina High School after which he attended Georgia Military College, Richland Tech, and Fayetteville Tech In June of 1969 he voluntarily joined the Army and graduated from Flight School in June of 1970 at Fort Rucker in Alabama. In August of the same year he was deployed to Vietnam where he was eventually awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for using his helicopter to shield an incoming Medivac and giving them enough time to retrieve the injured soldiers on the ground. During his time in the military he was stationed at multiple locations including Fort Bragg, Korea (twice), Fort Jackson, Finthen Army Airfield and Hunter Army Air Field. During his life he was also a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Savannah Georgia, the Grand Lodge AFM of South Carolina and the Alee Temple.

A Celebration of Life service will be held this Saturday, February 16th, at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church in Chapin, SC at 1:00 pm. Thomas wanted to be remembered for the joy he had while on earth and asked that his friends and family gather in celebration instead of mourning after his passing. His family has also asked that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the ALS Foundation of your choice, for those who feel called to do so.

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