Reuben Namon Richardson is my grandfather. He’s a man I never got to meet but so wanted to. I know he wasn’t a perfect man, by all accounts he was a horrible husband and deadbeat dad. But still he was my grandfather and I wished I would have gotten the chance to meet him at least once before he died.
He was known to most of his friends as RN but was also known as Reuben Namon Richardson Jr, RN Richardson, R.N. Richardson, Reuben Neiman, or Rubin. Like his father before him, there are so many variations of his name, it really does make it hard to find documents regarding his life.
- Born on 23 Mar 1929 in Waurika, Oklahoma
- Died on 28 Sep 2002 in Bowie, Texas
* Please note that some sources say RN’s birthday is March 23, 1929 but as you can see by his gravestone, it clearly says March 21, 1929. However later evidence has come up to show his actual birthday was March 23, despite what the Navy may say.
His father is Rubin Nemon Richardson and and his mother is Mary Vivian Phillips.
On March 12, 1946 he enlisted in the United States Navy. This was just after the end of World War II – well sort of. The actual peace treaty between Japan and most of the Allies (the Treaty of San Francisco) was not signed until 1951 and did not take effect until 1952. However if you want to get technical, for the purposes of computing veterans’ benefits, the US Government views World War II as having ended on December 31, 1946.
In 1947 he served on the USS Southerland. The ship number or designation was DD-743 or 0441-0743. His last listing on a WW II Navy Muster Roll for the USS Southerland was on Feb 17, 1947.
By April 25, 1948 he was serving on the USS Piedmont. The ship number or designation was AD-17.
Recently I happened upon his record of Naval Discharge. It shows he was a World War II Victory Medal and a China Service Medal. It was filed on March 29, 1950.
This document shows us again that his birthday is March 23, 1929 in Waurika, OK and he entered the service on March 12, 1946. His service # which is 986 8226.
While in the Navy he served on the …
- USS Penner
- USS Southerland
- USS Piedmont
- USS Rupertus
After faithfully serving our country and fighting for our freedom he was honorably discharged in San Deigo, California on December 27, 1949. His service number was 986 82 26.
Some other sources list his release date as December 27, 1953 however as you can see by the official document below the real date is December 27, 1949 and not December 27, 1953.
You will notice on the certificate below he was a Fireman, which according to the Navy’s official website is a part of the Engineering and Hull specialties.
Married: Alice Joann Price
- Date of Marriage: August 26, 1950 in Henrietta, Texas
- Date of Divorce: December, 1957 in Oklahoma City, OK
This marriage produced 3 children.
- Benjamin Wayne Richardson (July 19, 1951)
- Joanna Richardson (February 19, 1954)
-
Frankie Richardson (November 22, 1955)
After leaving my grandmother he married a lady named Nancy Lee Stewart and together they had three children. They later divorced but I’m not sure when that was.
- Reuben N Richardson III (August 11, 1960-2005)
- Alex Stuart Richardson (June 26, 1961 -)
- Vivian Gail Richardson (June 26, 1961 -)
Despite what his gravestone may say, RN was born on March 23, 1929.
RN was buried at the Granbury Cemetery in Hood County, Texas which is about 45 minutes to an hour outside of Forth Worth, Texas. Turns out he lived his final years only a few hours away from the grandchildren that wanted to find him for most all of their lives.
Reuben Namon Richardson is my paternal grandfather