Maurice "Morrie" Richardson

Maurice Lee "Morrie" Richardson passed away Friday, July 8, 2016, from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease. Born Aug. 7, 1934, to Maurice and Ruth Boyer Richardson, in Missoula, Morrie loved the freedom of growing up in the rural area of Orchard Homes. He attended Hawthorne School and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1954.

Morrie had many stories working as a fire lookout for the Forest Service, and was very pleased to see that his lookout station is now located at Fort Missoula. He also served in the U.S. Air Force, what he described as some of the best times of his life, starting his enlistment in Louisiana and then being stationed in England.

After discharge from the Air Force, Morrie worked as a carpenter for Jim Roather and other fine contractors of that time. A number of homes built in Missoula were at the skilled hands of Morrie.

In March of 1965 Morrie married the love of his life, Carolynn Ruhle-Ransom, and that deep love never faltered. He quickly adopted her two small daughters, Julie Ann and Janiel Arlene. Within a year they were blessed with another daughter, Kim Lee, and their family was complete. They would be happily married for 51 years.

In 1970 Morrie and Carolynn bought Orchard Homes Grocery from his parents, and enjoyed running the store until 1976 when they moved to Huson and bought the Huson Mercantile. During this time, Morrie also started working for the Frenchtown school system as a custodian, and never had he enjoyed a job more, which lasted until his retirement in 2001. These years of hard work at the stores and at Frenchtown High School produced some of the most endearing memories and finest friends Morrie had ever known. Morrie and Carolynn even took in some students struggling to graduate or having personal problems, encouraging them until then completed school. Morrie was respected by his community, friends and co-workers to the point of complete trust by all that knew him. Such high regard was placed on him that any time his name was brought up a smile, many kind words and often great stories would come forth from all.

Morrie was proud of his work, always giving his very best, and was a quiet, soft-spoken person full of love, who rarely got angry. He was full of compassion for humans and animals alike, with deer, elk, bear, turkeys and other animals knowing his six-mile property was a safe sanctuary.

Morrie stayed connected to his Missoula County High School classmates through reunions and other get-togethers, and was delighted to see Carolynn’s organizing and baking, around the reunions.

The greatest joy of Morrie’s life was his family and extended family, and he took great pride in Carolynn and her talents, his daughters and son-in-law’s, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all of their many accomplishments. He was known for saying, "We have good people in our family." Some of the happiest times for Morrie was when he was camping on Holland Lake with his family: fishing, picking huckleberries, hiking up to the falls, making a fire and telling stories with the crackle of flames, playing board games and just being with the ones who unconditionally loved him.

Morrie is survived by his wife, Carolynn; his daughters, Julie Meidinger (Scott), Janiel Sanchelli (Robert) and Kim Richardson (Tommy Petersen); and his sister, JoAnn Lowell. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Renee’ Schull (Jason), Heather Teegarden (Ross Reynolds), Preston Teegarden (LaShawn), Sarah Beatty (Andrew), Anthony Sanchelli (Melissa), Vincent Sanchelli (Stephanie), Shawna Daniels (Michael), Christopher Meidinger Jenkins (Clayton) and Olivia Richardson. Morrie was blessed to have 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, all of whom held a special place in his heart.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Maurice L. Richardson and Ruth Boyer Richardson, and his brother, Donald James Richardson.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at St. Pat’s Hospital, who took such excellent care of Morrie; Bill and Dorothy Wittig, who watched over and cared for his home on the Six Mile; Jeanette Block and Eveline Frame, who gave comfort and encouragement to Carolynn during the difficult times; and lastly to neighbors, friends and even acquaintances in the community who kept an eye out for Morrie on his daily walks or when he was just sitting in his yard enjoying the day. Alzheimer’s took Morrie’s mind slowly, and painfully, but it didn’t take away his joy of a sun-filled day and a smile from a loved one.

A celebration of Morrie’s life will be held on his birthday, Sunday, Aug. 7, at Franklin Park from 1 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would suggest memorial donations in Morrie’s name may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, ALZ.org or to AniMeals of Missoula, animeals.com.

Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting gardencityfh.com.