Verlin H. Richardson
1930-2018
Verlin Homer Richardson was born on July 5th 1930 in Gage, Oklahoma to Homer and Bertha Richardson; the youngest of seven children. He attended Gage Public Schools then went on to Northwestern State College in Alva, Oklahoma. In 1951, he married Mona Ruth Spenner. They had three children; Ramona, Carla and Kent. He began his teaching career at a one-teacher school in Blaine County, teaching several grades. While serving as the only teacher, he also drove the school bus and performed the custodial duties. From there he won a scholarship from the National Science Foundation that allowed him to achieve the first of two Master’s Degrees. He next taught at El Dorado Junior College in El Dorado, Kansas. He and his family moved to Edmond in 1962 to begin teaching at Central State College, later named Central State University, and now known as UCO; the University of Central Oklahoma. During this time, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma. Verlin taught at UCO for 34 years before retiring in 1996. He truly loved the service of teaching, the students and the camaraderie of his fellow teachers.
Verlin and Mona were members of the Memorial Road Church of Christ since the early-seventies. He served as a deacon for nearly thirty years with a primary focus on collecting contributions for various children’s homes around the state. He and Mona had recently moved into Bradford Village where they had established many new friendships in a new phase of their lives together.
Verlin was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, a granddaughter and an infant son. He is survived by his wife Mona, daughter Carla of Tyler Texas, son Kent of Dublin, California, grandchildren Nicholas, Danny, Benny and Katie; and great grandchildren Charlie and Paul.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 8, 2018 at the Memorial Road Church of Christ with interment to follow at Gracelawn Cemetery in Edmond, OK.
A great educator and friend. His life made a difference. Sincere sympathy to Mona and the family. A former student (Liberty school – Blaine county).
Dr. Richardson was one of the sweetest men I have ever known. I always enjoyed visiting with him while I was a biology student at Central State University in the early 1980’s. He was a good and kind man and always let his Christian light shine. Godspeed Dr. Richardson.
A tremendous loss of a true gentleman and educator for those who had personal contact with him. He will be greatly missed but his influence lives on in all who knew him.
Mona and family: so sorry to learn of Verlin’s passing. I remember him fondly and will always appreciate his kind and gentle ways.
May the Holy Spirit comfort all of you with reminders of a life well-lived.
Karen & I are deeply saddened by Verlin’s passing. He was one of the best teacher’s I have known. He loved teaching, was always available to help students, and treated all with respect and kindness. Verlin knew the name of everyone one of his students in all of his classes within a couple of weeks at most. It was an honor to be a colleague of Dr. Verlin Richardson. With deepest sympathy to Mona and family.