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Douglas Wayne Richardson

February 20, 1942 — October 1, 2018

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Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church

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Antioch Cemetery, Homer, LA

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Douglas Wayne Richardson

HOMER, LA: Funeral services for Douglas Wayne Richardson, age 76, were held October 3 at 11:00 AM at Wesley Chapel Methodist Church, 3647 Hwy 146, officiated by the Rev. Danny Baskin, Bro. Rusty Gilbert and Dr. Pat Bates. Graveside service and interment were in the Richardson family plot at Antioch Cemetery, Hwy 9, Homer, LA. Visitation was held at Homer Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Tuesday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Wayne left this world to join "God's Holy Marching Band" on October 1^st after a long fought battle with Alzheimer's disease. Wayne was born February 20, 1942, to Leoneal Elwood "Pat" Richardson and Francis Mylisia Johnston. Wayne lived his first 18 years in Homer, LA attending Homer schools. He accepted Jesus as his Savior through Baptism at First Baptist Church of Homer, March 14, 1954. Wayne graduated at the top of his class from Homer High School, May 17, 1960. The summer of 1960, Wayne entered Northwestern State College at Natchitoches, LA, majoring in Music Education. January of 1961, Wayne transferred to Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge. He was a member of the LSU Golden Band From Tigerland, playing trombone, head of the band staff his senior year under band director Thomas Tyre. Wayne was a member of the Symphonic Concert Orchestra. He was a charter member of "The Overtones," a barbershop quartet. Wayne was a member of Fraternities, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Beta Omega Chapter, Mu Sigma Rho, Kappa Phi Kappa, Professional Education, 579 Chapter, Phi Kappa Phi, Honor Society. He graduated May 30, 1964, with a Bachelor of Music Education. Wayne was offered and accepted a scholarship to Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, to seek his Master's Degree and assist Tom Tyre, band director at LSU who was leaving LSU for the band director position at Eastern Michigan University. Wayne became band teaching assistant and low brass instructor at EMU. He obtained his Master of Arts August 19, 1966. Wayne planned to continue at EMU for his doctorate. Vietnam was escalating at that point and Wayne could lose his deferment unless he became employed as a teacher. His first position was Assistant Director of Bands with Kimball High School, Royal Oak, MI school district 1966-1972. Wayne married Mary Ann Nowak in January 1966. Their only daughter was born March 30, 1967. In fall of 1972, Wayne took the position of Director of Marching and Concert Bands at Memorial High School in Beloit, WI. Fall of 1973, Wayne returned to Michigan to become Director of Bands for L'Anse Creuse Middle School System in Macomb County. His greatest joy was teaching children beginning in the fifth grade and watching them grow musically through the eighth grade when they would enter the high school marching and orchestral band. In 1981, Wayne took a sabbatical to go back to college and obtain an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting and Data Processing. He graduated Summa Cum Laude May 1983. In June of 1983, Wayne and his wife, Cheryl moved to Seattle, WA, to pursue accounting work in private business where they found employment together with the same company. Then in 1986, they were offered joint positions with a diversified company in Tucson, AZ. "Big City Life" was wearing on them and they made the decision to move back to Wayne's hometown of Homer, LA, in May 1989. Wayne went to work for the State of Louisiana Office of Support heading up the Medicaid Eligibility Determination for Claiborne Parish. He retired February 2003. Wayne and Cheryl's retirement dreams were to travel, camp, and visit their children and grandchildren in their RV. They had only a few years before Wayne was struck by Alzheimer's disease. All his life he was the consummate musician, playing piano, singing solos, ensemble and choral music, directing bands, orchestras and choirs, playing trombone and bass. It didn't matter what genre, if it was music, he loved it. Wayne was predeceased by his parents and the mother of his daughter, Mary Ann Nowak. Left to morn his loss are his wife, Cheryl; his daughter, Suzanne Richardson Caporuscio and husband Jerry of Richmond, MI; two step-sons, Michael Dertinger and wife Elaine of Harrison Twp, MI, and Matthew Dertinger and wife Maria of Sunnyvale, CA; his sister, Judy Richardson Fowler and husband Bobby of Homer, LA; two grandsons, Jacob Caporuscio and Andrew Elwood Caporuscio of Richmond, MI; nine step-grandchildren, who were all the light of his life, Samantha, Abigail, Josephine, Ailene, Nicholas, Zachary and Elizabeth Dertinger of Macomb County, MI, Andrew and Chloe Dertinger of Sunnyvale, CA; three nephews, Danny, Dean, and David Fowler as well as many extended family and friends. Pallbearers were Johnny Gordon, Thom Fronek, Russell Hightower, Andrew Caporuscio, Jamie Waganer, and Mickey Doyle. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Charlie W. Roberts, Dr. Jimmy Bates, James Keene, Dr. Cliff W. Salmon, Joe Richardson, Rex Young, and Jerry Torbet. The family wishes to thank Dr. Cliff W. Salmon, Presbyterian Village's caring staff and the staff of Aime Hospice. Also, Rosalind Long for her beautiful music and Bonnie Keene. In lieu of flowers, memorials honoring Mr. Richardson, the family suggests Wesley Chapel Methodist Church of Homer, LSU Alumni Association or Homer High Alumni to help fund music programs for the students.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110

www.rose-neath.com

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