Ralph Judson Richardson

Ralph J. Richardson, age 87, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away peacefully at home on November 3, 2026. Ralph was born August 17, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri, the fourth of five children born to Otho and Isabella (Murphy) Richardson.

Ralph attended the Methodist School in McPherson, Kansas for his early education. After graduating, he became a drafting apprentice. His life completely changed when his mentor, Ray Burchett, came in to work one day and said, “I’ve got THE girl for you.” Ray knew his sister-in-law and Ralph would hit it off, and hit it off they did. Barbara Jean Bielecki knew he was the one when he proposed with the ring of her dreams. They married at St. Casimir’s Church in Leavenworth on November 25, 1961.

After a short stint in Shawnee Village, they found their forever home on the 50-yard-line of the then-St. Joseph High School football field. Ralph and Barbara were devoted to the church, dedicating their time to volunteering with the Father’s Club, the Booster Club, the Serra Club, and the St. Joseph ushers; as well as attending daily Mass for decades; and sending all their children through the Catholic schools they spent countless hours supporting. He was honored for his time as Ralph “Big Turtle” Richardson with the YMCA Indian Guides, working his way up to Federation Chief. He helped coach his son’s little league baseball team, the Shawnee Merchants, in the 3 & 2 Baseball Club and was manager for 3 years.

He worked for North Kansas City Development Company, Oppenheimer Design and Build, and he retired after more than 10 years with JE Dunn. During that time, he was an ardent member of the American Society of Professional Estimators, having been certified by them in 1979, and serving in many leadership roles including as Educational Chairman in 1983.

He was a lifelong Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan, the latter of which he enjoyed watching from his nosebleed seats for 30 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his “adoptive” parents Judson and Lois Murphy; siblings: Isabella, Andy, Carl, and Patricia; a daughter-in-law, Katie Bax Richardson; and great grandson Nicholas Richardson.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Barbara J Richardson of the home; children: David (Susan) of Lenexa; Chris (Wendy) of Lane; Tim of Shawnee; Terry (Alyona) of Southlake, Texas; Angela (Darin) of Largo, Florida; and Cindy (Brian) of Columbia, Missouri; grandchildren: Elise, DJ, CJ, Kyle, Bryan (Taylor), Kaitie, Bobby (Ashleigh), Jud, Max, Victoria, Samantha, Alex, Savanna, and Avery; and great-grandchildren: Christine, Susie, Daisy, Augustus, Winnie, and Ivy.

Services will be held at St. Joseph Church in Shawnee, Kansas, on Thursday, November 12 with a visitation from 9:30 am to 10:45 am; Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am, and burial will immediately follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Serra Club in Kansas City, Kansas.