James Richards

Jim Richards James “Jim” Quentin Richards, 63, died Friday, Dec. 16 after a brief illness. His funeral will be at Elmwood Funeral Home at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22 with Ellis McKenzie officiating. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Jim was born on Nov. 23, 1959 in Clovis, New Mexico to Cash and Mildred Richards. Jim grew up in Bovina, Texas, until his family moved to Lubbock, Texas later in his childhood. He graduated from Monterey High School, playing sports throughout his entire education, making friends for life, and developing a hearty and deep love for the Boston Red Sox, the team he would support for his entire life. Jim’s family opened a restaurant in Bovina, later starting Richard’s Fried Chicken in Lubbock– a location that was well-loved by his community for five decades. He served close friends, happy customers, and even some local Lubbock heroes. Later in life, Jim moved on from the restaurant business and began working at a ranch near Aspermont, Texas for ten years until his retirement in 2015. He spent the last ten years of his life at his home in Abilene. In 1992, Jim had a son, Nicholas Alexander Richards, of whom he was very proud. In 2012, he met the love of his life, Sandra Qualls Richards, and was married in 2016. Jim was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, spending time in Africa and Alaska, and generally taking any occasion to spend time outdoors. He was a voracious reader, especially of Westerns and Literary fiction. He especially loved to spend time with his family, and instilled his loves of reading and pro sports into his grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; he is survived by his wife, Sandra Qualls Richards; his son, Nick Richards and his partner Abriana Hammack; his bonus children, Tiffeny Miller of Abilene; Blake Mitchell and his wife Katie of Burleson; Kristin Mitchell and her partner Bobby Dorman of Tuscola; Kayla Smith and her husband Chris of Ovalo; Patrick Miller and his wife Heather of Abilene; his grandchildren: Jaxson, Jayson, Jaydon, Journey Moon, Paisyn, Piper, Presley, Jordyn, Lane, Cole, and Maverick; his siblings, Augusta Salter of Amarillo; Billy Richards and his wife Carolyn of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Woody Smith and his wife Pat of Fort Worth; Tonia Shrode of Midland; and his cousins, Janice Richards of Abilene; and Pat and Charles Brewer of View. The family wishes to express many thanks to the staff at Hendrick Hospice Care at this time. Donations may be made to the organization in Jim’s name. Flowers may be sent to Elmwood Funeral Home.