of Harrison, AR

September 2, 1944 - June 13, 2022

Alvin Blaine Richardson, 77 years young, of Harrison, Arkansas was taken to heaven on June 13, 2022. Although he battled with serious medical issues for 35 years, many people never knew. He faced all of his challenges with faith in God, fierce determination, and infectious joy. He loved to laugh, and if he was laughing, you probably were too. He was born in Alpena, Arkansas to Ervin Blaine and Winnie Jetton (Garrison) Richardson on September 2, 1944. Blaine graduated, by the skin of his teeth, from Alpena High School in 1962. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Arkansas Tech University. While in Russellville, he met the love of his life, Pam, who was hoodwinked into thinking he was a charming individual with decorum. Boy, was she ever wrong! She was his "blessing from above", for 55 wonderful years.

One month after their wedding, Blaine enlisted in the United States Army Reserves, where he proudly served for 11 years. Shortly after being honorably discharged, he re-enlisted in the Army National Guard and served for an additional 10 years, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant (E8). He loved to tell stories about his days in the service, which included serving as a Senior Drill Sergeant during the Vietnam War. Blaine worked side-by-side, though not always eye-to-eye, with his father, Ervin, to build Richardson Oil Company, which provided fuel and oil products throughout northwest Arkansas. Outside of brief stints during Blaine's college years, military service, and one year spent teaching in Lavaca, Arkansas, he worked at Richardson Oil Company since its founding in 1956, eventually becoming its president. After the business sold, Blaine poured his life into helping children. He served as a substitute teacher until he earned his teacher certification. He then dedicated 15 years to teaching, much of that at the K-6 A School in the Harrison School District. Blaine "graduated" from school again when he retired in 2013.

Having a sharp and curious mind from his youngest days, Blaine would tinker with things - taking them apart to figure out how they worked. In elementary school, he would find and repair broken pens, then sell them to his peers. He made his first bb gun with a little gunpowder and bicycle parts. Throughout his teen years and into adulthood, he'd buy broken-down cars, repair them, drive them, then sell or trade them for something else he liked better. Blaine was a survivor. As a child, he was run over by the family tractor. As a teen, he suffered from third-degree burns over much of his body - the result of a gasoline fire while filling a tanker truck. He was in numerous car accidents that could have easily taken his life. He claimed to have one of the hardest heads in Arkansas and if you knew him you believed him.

Blaine loved the outdoors and was happiest when he was hunting and camping. Throughout the years he bought, sold, and traded numerous firearms, even building a couple of muzzleloaders. He loved going to Table Rock Lake and spent countless summers there with his kids and grandkids. It was there that he taught them how to fish, catch crawdads and make s'mores. The whole family would get sunburns while tubing and skiing. The most important things in his life, however, were his faith and his family. He passionately served God and passionately loved his family. He a member of Harrison First Assembly of God for over 45 years. Through the years he volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, youth sponsor, and "blooming onion" salesman.

Blaine never met a person he didn't like and if he didn't like you, you'd never know it. His smile and quick wit left an impression everywhere he went. He'd often greet folks with an impromptu poem and introduce himself as "Plaino Blaino". And whenever he saw a "spot" on your shirt (that no one else would see), he was always kind enough to point it out and then swipe your nose when you looked down. He was actively involved with the Gideons, the Christian Motorcycle Association, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Harrison Band Sponsors, Harrison Choir Sponsors, and virtually everything else his kids and grandkids was involved in. Blaine has been a bootlegger, a biker, a businessman, and a church board member. He was hardheaded, but soft-hearted and would often buy gas or food for individuals or families in need. Many people can preach the gospel, but Blaine lived it.

Blaine was greeted in heaven by two infant sons; his parents, Ervin and Jetton Richardson, and his youngest sister, Charlotte (Richardson) Clark.

He is survived by his loving wife, Pamela (Thomas) Richardson of Harrison, Arkansas; children, Tracey Winders and husband Michael of Montgomery, Texas, and Kevin Richardson and wife Jennifer of Edmond, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Jasmin Griffin of Independence, Missouri, Jordan Richardson of Harrison, Arkansas, Jaden Oluwayomi and husband Joshua of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Jaymin Richardson of Harrison, Arkansas, Emma Richardson of Auburn, Washington, Eli Richardson and Josiah Richardson of Edmond, Oklahoma; and great-grandchildren, Zoey Rey and Cora Griffin of Independence, Missouri; siblings, Denise Woods and husband Clinton of Alpena, Arkansas, Brenda Bell of Green Forrest, Arkansas and brother-in-law, Jerry Clark and wife Louise of Harrison, Arkansas, along with a community of family and friends that will always remember his iconic "Happy Birthday" serenades.



Visitation was Monday, June 20, 2022, at Harrison First Assembly of God. Funeral Service was Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Harrison First Assembly of God with Pastor Dennis Selvidge officiating.

Pallbearers were Jordan Richardson, Jaymin Richardson, Eli Richardson, Josiah Richardson, Kris Clark, and Kory Clark.

Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Clark, Ronnie Thomas, Lawrence Thomas, Paul Beck, Dwight Miller, John Billings, Gerry Korchek, and Sandy Sandretto.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Harrison First Assembly Youth Program. Please make checks payable to "Harrison First Assembly of God" and write "Blaine" in the memo section.

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