Thomas "Tom" L. Richardson, Platteville/Milton Junction/Janesville  (1945 - 2011)

April 5, 1945 - March 8, 2011
Thomas "Tom" L. Richardson, 65, passed away at MCHS Platteville on March 8, 2011, due to complications from surgery he had three years prior. He was born in Janesville, WI, on April 5, 1945, to Wayne and Margaret (Guysinger) Richardson. He attended Janesville High School and graduated from Milton Union High School. He met Carol Traxler at Tangelfoot’s Roller Rink in Janesville, and they were later married on July 17, 1965. Tom was employed by Richardson Marine, Overhead Door, Inc. of Janesville, and retired from Wisconsin Power & Light (Alliant Energy) May 2007 after 40 years of service.
Throughout his life he resided in Janesville, Milton Junction, Horicon, Mayville, and most recently Mineral Point – all in Wisconsin.
He held memberships in Pacesetters Motorcycle Club, Mayville CB Club, Mayville Trap Club, Jonesdale Trap Club, Country Cadillacs, Mineral Point Lions Club, Wings Over Wisconsin, Tri-County ATVer’s, Iowa County Antique & Collectors Club, and co-sponsored the Beaver Valley Trap Shoot for many years. He was a member of the Mayville Fire Department and an EMT for the Mayville Rescue Squad just prior to moving to Mineral Point in 1978. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, trap shooting, roller skating, riding his Gold BMW motorcycle (until he crashed in 1973), antique engines and restoring a 1949 International Cub named Tuffy. In 2004 he purchased the End of the Line Saloon. He sold it just prior to his surgery in 2007.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol of Mineral Point; sons, Timothy (Candi) of Belmont and Paul of Monroe; daughter, Sarah Hanson of Mineral Point and extended family, DuWayne Hanson of Mineral Point; grandchildren: Abigail and Faith Richardson of Belmont, Joshua (Elsa) Stanton of Fennimore, and Emma Hanson of Mineral Point. He is also survived by his two special cats, Odie Mimosa and McKenzie Marie; sisters, Donna (Owen) McBride and Karen Dewey, both of Janesville; his brother, Richard (Ruth Ann) of Tomahawk; a sister-in-law, Sharon Traxler of Shiocton; eight nephews; two nieces; numerous great-nephews and nieces; Uncle Frederick (Beverly) Richardson; Aunt Ruth Frantz; and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Edward Dewey; his mother and father-in-law, Elaine (Frantz) and Floyd Traxler; a brother-in-law, Alan Traxler; special uncle-in-law, Pete Frantz; and numerous other aunts and uncles. Also family pets: Rebel, Choo Choo’s Tracy Lee, Chloe, Sadie and Mitzie.
There will a celebration of Tom’s life held on Sunday, March 13, 2011, from 2 until 8 p.m. at the GORGEN FUNERAL HOME in MINERAL POINT, WI. Tom’s remains will return home to Rocky Top Acres with Carol.
GORGEN FUNERAL HOME
310 Ridge St., Mineral Point, WI 53565
608-987-3421 -- www.gorgenfh.com