James T. Richards, Jr.

Mr. James T. "Cookie" Richards, Jr., age 53, passed away at the Oschner Medical Center in New Orleans, LA, Saturday, July 19, 2008. Born January 18, 1955, James was the oldest of three children of Joyce and James T. "Sam" Richards, Sr. A 1973 graduate of St. Martin High School, he received his Bachelor of Science in Business degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1977. After college he joined the Western Geophysical Company on a seismographic vessel. In 1981 he became the leasing agent/manager of the Jeff Davis Apartments complex in Ocean Springs where he remained until his death. James was a faithful member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs where he was an active member of Saints and Sinners Men's Club and in Cursillo. A compassionate and wonderful man, he was passionate about caring for his family and friends. He loved fishing and socializing with others. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends who loved him. James was preceded in death by his father, James T. Richards, Sr., maternal grandparents, Erma T. Atwell and Sellus Atwell, paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer J. Richards, Sr., and mother-in-law, Josephine Hunter. He is survived by his wife of four years, Kay Duda Richards of Ocean Springs; mother, Joyce A. Richards of Biloxi; sisters, Cindy Alexander (Murray), and Kim Griffin, both of Biloxi; step-sons, Allan Duda (Renee) and Craig Marshall Duda (Sarah) both of Ocean Springs; three grandchildren, Cassie, Lauren and Ethan Duda of Ocean Springs, niece, Haley Griffin and nephew, Dylan Herring, both of Biloxi; and uncle, Reginald Richards, with whom he shared a special relationship. He was fondly referred to as "Papa" by his grandchhildren, and as "Bubba" by his niece and nephew. Visitation will be Thursday, July 24, 2008, beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding with the Rosary at 10:30 a.m., all at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs. A procession will leave the funeral home chapel following the Rosary and go to St. John's Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs for a visitation from 11 a.m. until 12 noon. A service will begin at 12 noon at the church followed by a committal service in Bosarge Cemetery in St. Martin. Pallbearers will be Murray Alexander, Dylan Herring, Allan Duda, Craig Duda, Jackie L. Richards, Jr. and Jason Richards. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to either the American Cancer Society, 417 Security Square, Gulfport, MS 39503; American Diabetes Association, 16 Northtown Drive, Suite 100, Jackson, MS 39507; American Heart Association, Living Legacy Partnership, P O Box 409410, Atlanta, GA 30384-9410; or Saint John's Episcopal Church, Building Fund, 705 Rayburn at Porter, Ocean Springs, MS 39564.