Mr. Gerald L. Richardson, 67 years, of Wyandotte, Okla., formerly of Joplin, Mo., departed this life on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007, at his home after a brief illness. Gerald was born on Feb. 19, 1940, in Joplin, son of the late Joe R. and Nola (Hargraves) Richardson. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army where he was stationed in Korea. On April 8, 1966, in Miami, Okla., he was united in marriage to Opal L. Allen and to this union two children were born. For 26 years he worked in the field of construction in the Kansas City area and was a member of the Carpenters Union No. 61. He centered his life around his five grandchildren and also had a deep love for his cats and dogs. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Benny Richardson; and his aunt, Ethel Hargraves, whom he considered a second mother. Gerald is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Opal Richardson, of the home; a daughter, Shellie Russell and husband, Steve, of Lee's Summit, Mo.; a son, Sean Richardson and wife, Mindy, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; five grandchildren, Lindsey, Chad, Brooke, Ty and Payton; three sisters, Beverly Richardson, of Galena, Kan., Barbara Gibson, of Galena, and Kathy Dixon, of Quapaw, Okla.; his twin brother, Jerry Richardson, of Canadian, Okla.; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends. Funeral services are 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, in the Chapel of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin with Pastor Roy Sprouse officiating. Burial will full military honors will follow in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are David Sowersby, Kevin Wallace, Rob Davis, Don Steward, Larry Wooden and Mike McClure. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. in the mortuary chapel. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, of Joplin.