Thomas A. Richards, 66, of Gladwin, Michigan passed away at his home on Sunday, December 5, 2021. He was born in Saginaw, Michigan on May 7, 1955 the son of Thomas Richards and Nancy Arthur.  He graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1973 and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Olivet Nazarene University.   In 1985 he obtained his Master’s Degree from the Nazarene Theological Seminary where he excelled at translating major portions of Old (Hebrew) and New (Greek) Testaments respectively.

He was a very compassionate man, well known as a loyal friend and lover of animals.   He enjoyed competitive strategy games such as chess, checkers, risk, card games, along with Michigan and Michigan State basketball teams.  His favorite activity was baseball.  This started with listening to Ernie Harwell on the radio calling the plays of his favorite player Al Kaline, transitioned to attending most of his son’s games, and ended with adopting the Cardinals as a secondary favorite while living in southern Illinois for many years.

Left to cherish his memory are his son: Thomas (Beth) Richards; grandchildren: Madden, Lainey, and Oliver; mother and step father: Nancy and David VanHorn; sister: Pam (Ted) Darling; and step mother: Rose Fitzpatrick.

He is preceded in death by his father.

Arrangements are in the care of Hall Kokotovich Funeral Home Gladwin. www.hallkokotovichfuneralhome.com