of Bergman, AR

December 29, 1943 - May 13, 2021

James Douglas "Doug" Richardson, age 77, of Bergman, Arkansas, went to eternal life on Thursday, May 13, 2021, surrounded by his family. He was born December 29, 1943, in Bergman, the son of Roy and Dorothy (Smith) Richardson, the youngest of three boys. Doug was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Louis Dwain Richardson and Clyde Richardson; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Edna (Bailey) Kirkwood; and a brother-in-law, Gerald Kirkwood.

Doug was a member of the Oregon Flat Baptist Church in Bergman. He was a lifetime resident of Bergman. He graduated from Bergman High School in 1961. He was in the Army Reserves for 15 years. Doug began his career as a builder with Max Richey, building boat docks, and then went on to build houses with Bob Brown, and later worked with Harold Whiteneck.

Doug started his own business in 1971 along with his father building reproduction antique furniture. He specialized in china cabinets and also contracted with other local carpenters to expand his line of furniture. Around 1998, he was asked to build a casket for a client and that was the start of a new endeavor, which he continued until his death.

Doug was an avid quail hunter, which took him to Kansas for many enjoyable hunts, he loved raising goats and Longhorn cattle, planting a garden, and going to auctions looking for anvils and old tools. He could always be found around the shop cleaning up some of the antiques he bought at auctions or in his trademark camo hat in one of his two gardens.

Doug is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marilyn (Kirkwood) Richardson; two children, Wesley Richardson of Cochoma, Texas and Shelley Richardson and fiancé Bruce Gardner of Bergman; two grandchildren, Danielle Freeman and husband Chris of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Travis Starbird of Centerton, Arkansas; a great-grandson, Caden Miller, of Bentonville; a "granddaughter by choice", Casee Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.



Visitation was at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home on Sunday, May 16, 2021.

Graveside service was at Milum Cemetery, Lead Hill, Arkansas, Monday, May 17, 2021with Bro. Don Mulford, Bro. Frank Hillis, and Doug's nephew, Wendell Richardson, officiating.

Pallbearers were Rick Richardson, Tommy Richardson, Tim Richardson, Timmy Richardson, Donnie Dickerhoff, Cody Patton, James Riggs, and David Jones.

Honorary pallbearers were Rusty Hayes, Jay Patton, Larry Patton, Kenneth Whitney, Gary Jackson, Junior Warren, Farolle "Butch" Hinson, J. G. Williams, Ewell Dean Hodge, Gene Reeves, James Richard Bailey, Brad Bailey, Brad Olsen, Melissa Graham, and Tim Starkey.


In lieu of flowers, Doug and his family ask that donations be made to the Milum Cemetery, PO Box 302, Lead Hill, AR 72644.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Christeson Funeral Home
519 North Spring Street
Harrison, AR  72601
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com