James "Jim" E. Richards

James “Jim” Edward Richards, 86, of Findlay met Jesus on May 16, peacefully surrounded by his family.  Jim was born to Willis and Dorthea Richards on June 6, 1936, in Bucyrus, Ohio.  He is a graduate of Bucyrus High School, served in the U.S. Army, then graduated from Tiffin University.  Jim will be remembered for his generous and kind heart, faith, sense of humor, grateful spirit, and as a story teller.

Jim married Rosalie Secoy in 1959 and they were married for nearly 58 years until his Rosie went to heaven in 2017.  They lived in Bucyrus, Findlay, and Hickory, NC.

Of all the things Jim was proudest of in his lifetime were his 4 children, 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren (and 2 more on the way) and he would talk about them to anyone who would listen.  He was also proud to have been on the founding board of the Loudan Home for young pregnant women with Bob & Marcie Perkins.  This effort saved the lives of nearly 300 unborn children.  Jim and Rosalie also helped Jack & Bettie Snyder to formally establish a ministry in Haiti called Mission Possible and they lived in Haiti for 2 years as missionaries.

Jim was known as “Jim the Bicycle Man” because of the bicycle business that he ran for over 20 years on North Main St. in Findlay.  Over the years his family often met people who told stories of buying a bicycle or having one repaired in his shop and of his integrity as a businessman.

Jim was an active member of St. Michael’s in Findlay and St. Aloysius in Hickory, NC.  While poor health kept him from being an active parishioner for the past few years, his faith life was still strong and on May 16 he met Christ face to face and was reunited with his Rosie.

He will be deeply missed by his children, Sister Teresita (Teresa) Richards, Christine Messex (late husband Howard), Robert Richards (Lisa), and Rodney Richards (Barb) and his 8 grandchildren Kyle, Ryan, Hailey, Victoria, Megan, Kimberly, Brady, and Daniel; and 2 great grandchildren (Emilia and Everleigh) and his brother, Tom.

Awaiting him in heaven were his parents, Willis & Dorthea Richards; wife, Rosalie; and his siblings Wayne Richards, Marilyn Crock, Chuck Richards, Barbara Richards, and son-in-law Howard Messex.

A visitation for family and friends will be on Sunday, May 21 from 2:00-5:00 p.m., at HUFFORD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Manor Hill Road in Findlay, with a scripture service beginning at 4:30 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Michael the Archangel, Downtown Chapel, 617 West Main Cross St., Findlay, on Monday, May 22 at 10:30 a.m. with an hour of visitation (9:30 – 10:30 a.m.) prior.  A burial will take place at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sisters of Notre Dame (1656 Henthorne Drive, Suite 200, Maumee, OH 43537) or to Mission Possible to continue their ministry (P.O. Box 1026 Findlay, Ohio 45840). Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.huffordfh.com.

Mission Possible
P O Box 1026, Findlay OH 45840

Sisters of Notre Dame
1656 Henthorne Drive, Suite 200, Maumee OH 43537