At the age of 100, James Robert "Bob" Richards, Jr., of Albany, Missouri, went to his eternal home peacefully on March 7, 2020. He was born in Albany, Missouri on December 29, 1919 to Bob and Delia (Chipp) Richards and attended school in New Hampton, Missouri, graduating in 1938. He is survived by his sister, Ann Lee Halstead; son, Gary Richards, both of Albany; nieces and nephews.

After joining the Gentry County National Guard, Bob married the love of his life, Lola V Gillespie on December 21, 1941. People thought of them as the ideal couple, the best of sweethearts. They moved to several military bases where Bob trained to drive a half-track as a forward observer with the 6th Armored Division. Bob and the Rabbit Ridge Boys he grew up with went to WWII together and came home together. They served under General Patton in the Battle of the Bulge and liberated the Bunchenwald concentration camp. Bob earned a bronze star for his "outstanding skill, coolness, and aggressiveness under enemy fire".

After WWII, Bob worked for Quaker Oats in St. Joseph, Missouri and ran an MFA feed store in Gower, Missouri. In 1954, while working in Topeka, Kansas for Civil Service Air Force Supply, Bob and Lola V adopted their son Gary. After working for another supply depot in Mobile, Alabama, the family moved to Oklahoma City where Bob worked for 10 years before retiring in 1974 from Chief of Cargo Operations at Tinker Air Force Base.

Retirement back in Albany, Missouri was a pleasant time of enjoying work on their 240 acre cattle farm and travels to Branson and Europe, etc. Bob was a devoted husband and father and cared for Lola V during her long struggle with Alzheimer's. Bob acknowledged being thankful for every year, month, and day of their marriage, which was 71 years, 2 months, and 22 days.

Bob treasured being part of the Gillespie family and was proud to have such a large number of nieces and nephews. He recently delighted in holding his newest great-great nephew and great-great niece. Loved by many special friends in Albany, Bob will be remembered as a gentleman and will be dearly missed.

Graveside Service and Burial with Military Rites: 1:30 PM Thursday, March 12 at the Grandview Cemetery, Albany. Friends may call anytime after 9:00 AM Thursday at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany. Memorial Contributions: Albany United Methodist Church in care of the Roberson-Polley Chapel, 403 N. Hundley, Albany, MO 64402. Online Condolences: www.robersonpolleychapel.com