Richard Thomas Richards

Richard Thomas Richards

"Tommy"

01/25/1959- 06/16/2024

Richard Thomas Richards "Tommy", passed away peacefully at his home on June 16, 2024, in Tacoma, WA from cardiovascular disease at the age of 65. He was born on January 25th, 1959, in Mountlake Terrace, WA to Lloyd H. Richards of Missouri and Dorothy “Ruthie” Richards (Bee) of Guam.

Tommy was one of five children. He had three older sisters: Lee Ann Cruz, Dorothy “Dottie” Morrison, Myrna Hancock, and one brother David Richards. 

He was born and raised in Mountlake Terrace, WA and enjoyed playing sports such as baseball and soccer. He graduated from Mountlake Terrace High School, class of 1977. Forty years later, in 2017, he was inducted into the Mountlake Terrace High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Tommy went on to marry his high school sweetheart Tami Richards (Pickens) in May of 1982 and moved to Guam. After spending time in Guam, they moved back to Washington and were awaiting the arrival of their first son, Trevor Richards, who was born on June 30th, 1983. Ryan Richards was born shortly after on May 13th, 1985.

In April of 1986, Tom enlisted in the U.S. army where he went to train in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and received his certification in combat engineering. Shortly after, Tommy and Tami divorced in 1987 and he was then stationed in Ft. Devens, MA. In 1989 he met Lisa Carr, and they had their first daughter, Caitlyn Carr on January 24th, 1991. Their second daughter Melissa Carr was born on April 24th, 1994.

Tommy spent most of his time working in Norwood, MA as a carpenter and landscaper. He enjoyed making memories with family, camping, cooking, coaching his daughter’s soccer teams, and fishing. He also enjoyed traveling around the world to places like Arizona, Florida, Costa Rica and Guam. He was a free spirit and had the ability to make friends everywhere he went. 

In 2020 he moved from Massachusetts back to Washington to help his son Ryan and three grandchildren while school was shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tommy is survived by his sister Lee Ann Cruz of San Diego, CA, Dorothy Morrison (Ken) of University Place, WA, brother David Richards of Hattiesburg, MI, son Trevor Richards (Lorena) of Bonney Lake, WA, son Ryan Richards (Stefanie) of Renton, WA, daughter Caitlyn Carr of Mansfield, MA, daughter Melissa Carr of Norwood, MA. His six grandchildren; Tegan, Kloe, Emery, Kameron, Liberty, and Sonny. He is also survived by six nieces, and many great-nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by both of his parents, and his sister Myrna. 

Tommy’s funeral service will be held at Edwards Memorial Funeral home in Lakewood, WA on June 28th, 2024, at 2:00pm, followed by reception.