Donald Warren Richardson, a Richardson Farms co-owner who operated its Glen Arm growing fields, died of surgical complications to treat his pancreatic cancer May 29 at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center. The Glen Arm resident was 64.
Born in White Marsh, he was the son of Barbara Meyers Richardson and William W. Richardson, who also owned and operated the farming business founded in the 1930s. He was a 1979 Perry Hall High School graduate.
“My father was the kind of person who killed chickens before he left for school and when he came home, he worked some more on the farm and did his homework,” said his daughter, Kerrie Richardson.
He met his future wife, Jill Marie Chilcoat, through a family member, and they soon became high school sweethearts.
He was a member of the family whose farm is now in its fifth generation of operation. He oversaw the cultivation of mustard and collard greens and kale, as well as tomatoes, eggplant, spinach, peppers and corn. His produce was sold in Baltimore’s Northeast Market near the Johns Hopkins Hospital and at the Farm Market on Ebenezer Road in White Marsh, where other family members operate a large retail operation.
“In later years, when he ran the Glen Arm farm [another farm that augmented the Richardson White Marsh headquarters] he was up from sunrise to sunset. He’d be running the irrigation and picking crops if necessary,” his daughter said. “He was a farmer first and did not become involved with the other parts of the family business.”
She said he enjoyed vacationing in Florida and walking along the St. Johns River at Blue Spring State Park to watch the manatees. He also spent time at a dirt track, watching ice hockey or working on his farm.
“My father embraced life with a gentle, kind spirit and a strong work ethic,” his daughter said. “His phone ringtone was Tim McGraw singing ‘Humble and Kind.'”
Mr. Richardson was known for whispering to his dogs.
“My father shared a special bond with animals, especially his beloved dogs Ruby, Duncan, and Lacey,” said his daughter, “Dogs gravitated to him and dogs know when someone has a good heart.”
As a young man, Mr. Richardson was a fast runner, but because of his duties on the farm could not run track in high school. He also liked lacrosse and went rollerblading on Saturday nights. He enjoyed horseback and 4-wheelers/dirt bike riding. He also camped along the Delaware coast to unwind after a busy week..
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Jill Marie Chilcoat Richardson, who worked the farm’s accounts; three daughters, Mandy Nelson, of Glen Arm, Leanna Richardson, of Parkville and Kerrie Richardson, of White Marsh; three brothers, Marty Richardson Sr., of Abingdon, John Richardson, of White Marsh, Leslie Richardson, of Glen Arm and Wesley Richardson, of White Marsh; a sister, Diane Richardson, of White Marsh; and two grandchildren.
Funeral services are private.
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