James N. “Jim” Richardson, 82, transitioned peacefully on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, after valiantly fighting mesothelioma for over eight years. He was a principled man of faith, and a consummate engineer, living his life with purpose and precision, balanced with care and compassion, to his last day.

After serving in the U.S. Army in Germany, Jim earned his college degree in Metallurgical Engineering and spent his career in the mining industry. He retired in 1995 from Texasgulf in Aurora, NC, where he received numerous production and safety awards. Jim was a role model in the community, serving as a 4-term mayor of Bath, and a dedicated member of the Bath Volunteer Fire Department for 47 years.

Growing up in Colorado, Jim loved the outdoors his entire life, including skiing, camping and hiking. He fulfilled a dream by building a beautiful cabin in the NC mountains in 1999, and made many happy family memories there. Jim commuted to work from Bath to Aurora by boat year round, and loved watching sunsets over Bath Creek. In his retirement, he exercised his mind with Sodoku puzzles, reading, competitive card games and small engine repair of just about any kind.

Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol, their daughter Chelly and husband Tim, son Craig and wife Jennifer, a daughter from a previous marriage, Louise, and his grandchildren Mick, Olivia, Asher, Lester, and William.

Thanksgiving was Jim’s favorite holiday, therefore a fitting time to have a celebration of life service on Saturday, November 25 at 11 am at Bath Christian Church, followed by fellowship at the family home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim’s honor to the Bath Christian Church Foley Fund to help needy families in the community, the Bath Volunteer Fire Department or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Condolences may be addressed to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Richardson family.