Charles Lamar Richardson
August 14, 1947 ~ June 10, 2018
LT COL CHARLES LAMAR RICHARDSON, USAF (Ret) [AF emblem here]
Lt Col Charles L. Richardson, US Air Force (Ret), age 70, peacefully departed this life on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Falcons Landing military retirement community in Sterling, VA. He is survived by his daughter, Jessica; his former wife, Julie Gravallese; his brother, Bruce of Mississippi; and his sister, Sandra Hoolahan (Louis) of Mississippi; and many nieces and nephews. His parents, Charles Ethel Richardson and Verna Mae Posey, and brother, Wayne, predeceased him. Charlie was affectionately known as Bubba by his family and friends. Charlie played football at Ole Miss and received his BS degrees in Mathematics and Microbiology; he later was selected to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology and received his Masters in Logistics Management. Charlie retired from a distinguished career in the Air Force as an expert in C4 systems. Following his retirement, he devoted his second 20-year career to the Pentagon Renovation project, from inception to completion, as the senior IT specialist and construction management advisor. Charlie participated in the recovery efforts following 9/11. Charlie was a can-do hands on technologist/integrator and “everyone’s friend.” The family will receive friends at Money & King Funeral Home in Vienna, VA on Friday, June 22 from 5-7:30 pm, and on Saturday, June 23 from 10-11:00 am, ending in a prayer service. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project in his memory. Visit www.moneyandking.com for additional details.
Lt Col Charles L. Richardson, US Air Force (Ret), age 70, peacefully departed this life on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Falcons Landing military retirement community in Sterling, VA. He is survived by his daughter, Jessica; his former wife, Julie Gravallese; his brother, Bruce of Mississippi; and his sister, Sandra Hoolahan (Louis) of Mississippi; and many nieces and nephews. His parents, Charles Ethel Richardson and Verna Mae Posey, and brother, Wayne, predeceased him. Charlie was affectionately known as Bubba by his family and friends. Charlie played football at Ole Miss and received his BS degrees in Mathematics and Microbiology; he later was selected to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology and received his Masters in Logistics Management. Charlie retired from a distinguished career in the Air Force as an expert in C4 systems. Following his retirement, he devoted his second 20-year career to the Pentagon Renovation project, from inception to completion, as the senior IT specialist and construction management advisor. Charlie participated in the recovery efforts following 9/11. Charlie was a can-do hands on technologist/integrator and “everyone’s friend.” The family will receive friends at Money & King Funeral Home in Vienna, VA on Friday, June 22 from 5-7:30 pm, and on Saturday, June 23 from 10-11:00 am, ending in a prayer service. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project in his memory. Visit www.moneyandking.com for additional details.
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Charlie was a huge factor in the success of the Pentagon Renovation as well as my own professional career. He had the ability and insight to orchestrate events and the individuals supporting those events to get the required results. His best moments often involved working behind the scenes with action officers as well as senior level management in order to move programs in the right direction. He was focused and his watch-words where persistence and determination to achieve the desired outcome in support of the overall vision.
On a personal note, he was always there when you needed someone to talk to during stressful and difficult times. On several occasions he was there for me when I desperately needed help – thank you Charlie.
We will all miss you and remember your selfless service to all of us and your country. Thanks to you we all continue to “Aim High” to get to where we want to go.
Thanks so very much!
Fred Budd
Retired SES
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Charlie (but I use to call him Lamar) was my friend at PENREN. He always kept me laughing. I use to tell him all the time “Lamar don’t bring me any dark chocolate bring me some fruit. Does it look like I need any chocolate and he would say yes you need some . Then the next day he would bring a lot more chocolate than the day before. We had some wonderful times and I will miss him so much. Like I said before Lamar was my friend. Rest my friend Rest
Charlie started out in my life as my so-in-law and he would call me Dad.. However , he really was like a brother to me. Always available to give a helping hand especially when I was building my house at Bryce resort. He loved being there during construction.. He championed through some difficult health issues but always had a cheerful positive attitude. and a cherished member of our family.
Heavenly Father, source of all love , hope and mercy, please welcome Charlie into your eternal embrace and give him rest.
Al Gravallese
Charlie was a good friend and great mentor. I met him on PENREN when he was still working for the A&E firm and I couldn’t figure out who this guy was that was trying to help me with the IT planning. It was the Pentagon and there had to be an angle that would benefit him. But there never was an angle outside of making that building the best it could be and we ended up working in as tight a team as I’ve ever experienced. No one had a more positive impact on the renovated Pentagon than Charlie. I know I never would have survived my time on the program without Charlie in the background guiding me and removing so many obstacles. There was nothing he couldn’t accomplish, no one he couldn’t convince to do the right thing. But he was much more than that project and I can attest he invested even more energy into his family and friends. I looked forward to lunch with Charlie every day, we went all over Northern VA to his favorite spots and talked about everything besides work. But his favorite topic was always Jessica, followed by Julie and Al and Doug and so many others. I was blessed to know him and want to extend my sincere condolences to his family and his many friends.
Randy Devine
Charlie, knowing you will always be one of the brightest and best memories that I will carry from my time at the Pentagon. I will always cherish the kindness, guidance and friendship you gave me. You were my mentor and the lessons you gave made all the difference in the world. You are in many ways responsible for my career success. I would not be where I am today without you. God bless you Charlie!
Charlie, while it’s been a long time, I’ll always remember you as a compassionate and committed leader at MITRE. It was always a pleasure working with you, may you rest in peace.