1949 – 2012 Services were held at Immaculate Conception Church on July 20 for Thomas Cardwell Richardson, of Bingham Township who died Sunday, July 15, 2012 at Munson Medical Center. He was 63.

Tom was born on April 5, 1949 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the son of James Ross and Dorothy (Cardwell) Richardson II. On Nov. 7, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York, he married Susan E. Norton who survives.

Tom was exceptionally kind and inspirational. He was well known for his laughter, his presence at Suttons Bay High School sporting events, especially competitive cheerleading when his wife and daughter coached, and also for the kind words he often offered to those in need.

He spent the first six years of his life in Brazil where his father was an executive in the cotton and coffee industry. He spent the remainder of his youth in Houston, Texas where he enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping with his family; played on a World Little League team coached by his dad; participated in football and was an avid surfer up and down the coast of his home state and Mexico.

He graduated from Robert E. Lee high school in 1967. He then attended the University of Houston to study architecture before joining the United States Coast Guard in 1969 until 1972 as a telephone technician. The Coast Guard took him to New York for training where he met his wife, Susan. After graduating from training, Tom was stationed in Traverse City, Michigan. He and his wife set up their home in Suttons Bay and have lived there since.

Tom went on to attend NMC before joining the local engineering firm, Gosling Czubak, where he worked for over 30 years as a drafting engineer until his retirement in 2011. For the last year, he has enjoyed working with his wife and daughter creating custom invitations and such for their company de Tree design.

During his time in Northern Michigan, Tom enjoyed golfing, boating, his yearly “Partridge Festival” camping trip in the U.P., and spending as much time as he could with friends and family.

He showed his strength and love right up until his last minute with us and will be greatly missed by many.

In addition to this wife, Susan, he is survived by his daughter, Krista (Grant) Hoxie; a sister, Donna (Richard) Murray; a brother, James Ross (Corliss) Richardson III, brother-inlaw, John (Mary) Norton; sister-inlaw, Jean (James) McCartney; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert.

Memorials may be directed to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, 521 South Union Street, Traverse City, MI 49684.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.