Thomas “Tom” Lee Richards, age 71, of McCook, passed away at his home on Sunday, March 13, 2022. He was born in Gothenburg, NE on May 13, 1950. At an early age, Tom was adopted by grandparents, Willard and Mary Esther (O’Dell) Richards. Tom grew up in Wauneta and graduated from Wauneta High School in 1968. He attended Nebraska College of Agriculture in Curtis earning a degree in Agriculture. He later attended Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte and received an Associate of Arts Degree in Electrical Services. Tom and his brother learned to fly airplanes like their father.
On September 24, 1971, Tom was united in marriage to Letty Jones at her mother’s home in McCook. The couple moved to Stratton where Tom farmed. Tom worked several jobs in his lifetime: Miller manufacturing, McCook's hose plant, then as a satellite installer and fabricator. He became interested in electronics. He was a driver for Dashabout and a truck driver for Sands Hog Confinement. Tom moved several times, keeping residency in the communities of Palisade, Hershey, and McCook.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Logan Lee; biological mother, Beaula Buress Bryant; adopted parents, Mary Ester and Willard Richards; grandparents, Ida and Willis Richards and James and Edna O’Dell.
Tom is survived by his wife, Letty of McCook; daughters, Sarah Richards of Poteet, TX and Julie Richards of North Platte; three sons, Thomas James Richards, Jared David Richards, and Jonathan Richards all of McCook; eight grandchildren; and a brother, Tim Richards of McCook.
Funeral Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints in McCook on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 10:30 AM. Interment will be in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery of Stratton, NE at 2:30 PM. Visitation will be held at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel on Friday, March 18, 2022, from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM with family present to greet friends from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Memorials may be left in Tom's name at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel. Friends may leave online condolences at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements.