Joseph Cleo Richard

Joseph C Richard, 66 of Chico, California passed on to eternal life on Monday, March 22, in his home. Joseph was born June 8, 1954 to Cleo and Yvonne Richard in Fargo North Dakota. That same year his family moved to Chico. He attended Notre Dame and went on through High School graduating from St. Pius X prep school in Galt, California. He enlisted in the Air Force and worked as an Aerospace Ground Equipment repair technician. After leaving the Air Force at Travis Air Force Base in Vacaville, he soon met and married his wife, Becky. He moved to Utah to work in a lumber mill, but soon returned to Vacaville. His marriage was not to be, so they divorced. Joe then returned to Chico, working several different jobs and at one time working for his brother Mike Richard. His last job was as an IHSS home caregiver. He enjoyed this job, allowing him to make some lasting friendships. He became his cousin's caregiver. These two continued to be stauch and dedicated the cause of our Lady of Fatima. He was a devoted catholic, attending Our Divine Savior catholic church. IN 2010 Joe became a paraplegic due to a spinal cord abscess that had it's origin from an abscess tooth which infected the lung and finally to the spine. After surgery to repair the spine he spent a year at VA's Palo Alto spinal cord rehabilitation center, learning how to function as a paralyzed person. He returned to Chico and continued his faithful attendance at ODS and continuing to attend Our Lady of Fatima meetings, serving as treasurer. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Cleo and Yvonne, and a brother Dennis. He is survived by his two daughters: Melanie Hyde and Domonique Richard, and his 9 siblings, Lucille West, of Junction City, OR; Doris Neal (Vern) Willowcreek, CA; Helen Main (Gordon) Chico, CA; Pauline McMullen (Lynn) Fonda, IA; Evelyn Eames (Mike) Idaho Falls, ID; Rite Bird Houchin, Chico, CA Barbara Persinger, Chico, CA; Susan Stout, Pollock Pines, CA; Michael Richard (Natalie) Chico, CA and 8 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. On Wednesday April 21, 2021 at 10:30 a mass of Christian burial at ODS Church in Chico will be celebrated and a graveside service will follow at Glenn Oaks Memorial Park Cemetery in Chico.