H.R. No. 1563

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Residents of Fort Worth are mourning the loss of admired pediatrician Dr. John M. Richardson, who died on April 29, 2019, at the age of 88; and

WHEREAS, The son of Dr. James Joseph Richardson and Margaret Tidwell Richardson, John Richardson was born in Fort Worth on November 19, 1930, and grew up with five siblings, Mary Helen, Peggy, Joe, Dick, and Bob; he met his future wife, the former Joan Webb, while attending R. L. Paschal High School, and they eventually became the parents of four children, Kathy, Marian, John, and Jane; a calm, engaged, and encouraging father, Dr. Richardson organized vacation road trips that provided enjoyable opportunities for learning; he was later blessed with 12 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Andrew, Philip, Gregory, Samuel, Abigail, Harry, Jack, Caroline, Marshall, Natalie, and Matthew, as well as 7 great-grandchildren, Charlie Joann, Archer, Cedar, Emerson, Meadow, Felix, and Arthur; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Richardson served his country in the U.S. Navy, and as a hospital corpsman, he discovered his love of medicine; after graduating from Texas Wesleyan College and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Branch, he completed his pediatric residency at the Children's Medical Center of Dallas; he practiced in Fort Worth for more than four decades, and his gentleness, skill, and patience earned him the lasting affection of his patients; exceptionally dedicated, he worked every day of the week, made house calls, and provided his home phone number, a source of great comfort to worried young mothers; moreover, he served as the medical director for many organizations, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Lena Pope Home, and St. Andrew Catholic School; and

WHEREAS, A devout Catholic, Dr. Richardson set an example of humility and compassion; he helped save thousands of infants from abandonment as the successful champion of the state's trailblazing safe haven law, which allows parents who cannot care for their babies to leave them at fire department stations and other designated locations; he also cofounded both The WARM Place, a grief support center for children, and the Key School for children with learning differences; during 29 years as the pediatrician for the Edna Gladney Home, he played a role in approximately 9,000 adoptions; he further served on the boards of the Cook Children's Medical Center, the Alliance For Children, Gill Children's Services, Catholic Charities Fort Worth, and the Fort Worth Zoo Association; in his free time, he was a student of the art and history of the American Southwest, and he became the first male docent of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art; he was also an avid baseball fan; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Richardson received numerous accolades over the years, among them the Gold-Headed Cane Award and the Physician Humanitarian Award from the Tarrant County Medical Society; in addition, he was named Fort Worth's Outstanding Citizen by the Exchange Club; and

WHEREAS, Through his selfless efforts, John Richardson touched the lives of innumerable people, and he will forever hold a special place in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. John M. Richardson and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. John M. Richardson.

Morrison

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1563 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 17, 2019.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House