Jackson Richard

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Jackson Bethune Richard, 80, a native of Houma, La., and resident of Rarity Bay, Vonore, Tenn., died Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010.


Mr. Richard lived an extraordinary life. Prior to receiving his congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy (class of 1952), he attended LSU. Serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy for 26 years, he retired in 1978. His service to his beloved country included sea duty: on a destroyer; on two diesel-electric submarines; as a commissioning crew member on three nuclear submarines; and as commander of Submarine Division 12.


Jack was so proud of his USS Queenfish and his time in its command – the first submarine designed specifically for under-ice operations.

After retirement in 1978, Jack returned to Baton Rouge and worked for Nuclear Systems Inc. as vice president and general manager of the Gamma Industries Division. In 1981, he joined Middle South Utilities in New Orleans as director, system nuclear operations, and in 1983 moved to Mississippi Power and Light Company in Jackson, Miss., as senior vice president, nuclear. 1988 took him to Oak Ridge, Tenn., where he was director of reactor operations for Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He retired from ORNL in 1998. Active even in retirement, Jack served as Knoxville-Oak Ridge chapter president of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association. Jack was a member of five Rotary clubs, and served as governor of Rotary District 6780. He believed in Rotary and its mission.


In 1952, Jack married his first love and childhood sweetheart, Sheri Ann Oliver, who died of cancer in 1993. Being a lucky man, he had a second great love. In 1996, he married Sandra Lou Ross of Oak Ridge who enriched and completed his life by bringing love and laughter.


He is survived by his wife, Sandra Lou Ross; children, Jackson “Skip” Bethune Richard Jr. and Sheri Lea Fair; stepdaughters, Susan (David) DiStefano and Tammy Huffman; grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Joe (Bettye) Richard, Dr. Tom (Jerelyn) Richard and Carolyn (Thomas) McPherson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sheri Ann Oliver; and his parents, Joseph George Richard and Jessie “Jackie” Lea Bethune Richard.

It is requested that memorial donations be made to the Rotary International Fund or the U.S. Naval Academy memorial fund.

Interment will be held with full honors and regalia at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C., as scheduling permits.

“Rest well, Captain Jack; you have earned your peace.”

(Click Funeral Home and Cremations Tellico Village Chapel of Loudon, Tenn.)

Jackson Richard