James E. (Jim) Richardson, III, 71, of Ft. Myers, Florida, formerly of Columbia, passed quietly into the arms of the Lord on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at his home. Born November 15, 1946, to Sophia and James Richardson, Jr. in Lawrence, Massachusetts, he was a graduate of Groton, Mass. High School and the University of Alabama.

After his graduation from Alabama, Jim joined the United States Army and served in Vietnam and Germany, achieving the rank of captain and earning a bronze star. He was a member of Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina, where he was an Adult Sunday School Director for several years. Always outgoing and cheerful, Jim never met a stranger. He loved the Lord, his family, friends and college sports—especially his alma mater, Alabama. He will be missed terribly by his beloved wife, Nancy; stepchildren, Jennifer (Christian) Erickson, Caroline (Christopher) Massetti, and Charles Dahlstrom, Jr.; grandchildren, Stacey (Charlie) Romano, Chase Erickson, Casey Erickson, Heather Massetti, and Kerrie Massetti; siblings, Walter (Victoria Steele Richardson), Douglas (Charlene), Pamela, and Jay. He was also the favorite uncle of several very special nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his parents and his daughter Jaime.

A funeral service was held in the Village Church of Ft. Myers on Saturday, September 8. Burial was in the Sarasota National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Salvation Army. Arrangements were handled by the Gallagher Funeral Home of Ft. Myers and Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel of Columbia.