Ronald Wright Richardson

Ronald Wright Richardson was born on September 12, 1966, in San Jose, California. Ron lost his 2 ½ year battle with cancer on April 19, 2024, when he died in his home peacefully, without pain and surrounded by family and friends. Ron is survived by his daughter, Lily Rayne Richardson, his father, Keith Wright Richardson, his mother, Roberta Anne Richardson (both of Cheyenne, WY), and his brother, Mark Norman Richardson of Monroe, WA.

Ron was born and lived in San Jose, CA until 1977 when his family moved to Reno, NV, where he graduated from Reno High in 1984. Ron was always a hard worker, earning money as a youngster delivering newspapers and mowing lawns around the neighborhood. He worked for Gemco/Lucky Stores during high school and after graduation.

RON’S LIFE AS AN ARTIST

Ron was an art prodigy and as a young child he began producing amazing work in pencil and crayons. He was serious about art and honed his skills continually. His father recruited him in 1986 to illustrate the covers, clothing and gear in his newly conceived mail-order catalogue, Sierra Trading Post. In addition to his artistic contribution, Ron joined the fledgling business as warehouse manager until his desire to pursue Art more seriously took hold, and he moved to the Seattle area. He attended the Art Institute of Seattle for a few semesters, but he felt stifled by their emphasis on commercial art. After all, he was already a successful commercial artist, working for Sierra Trading Post. Ron enrolled at Cornish College of the Arts where they taught “fine art.” Ron decided he needed that kind of artistic freedom and he worked assiduously to find his true “voice” as an artist. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1993. Ron was one of those rare artists who was able to create art as his avocation while at the same time creating art as his vocation. Ron created amazing works of art for himself continually, while managing to meet every demanding deadline given to him by Sierra Trading Post. While Ron often gave his personal creations away to special friends and family, he could not bring himself to sell any of them, and instead kept them in his home and studio.

Ron’s superb and uniquely styled illustrations and inventive and engaging paintings became the “face” of Sierra Trading Post. He illustrated every product in every catalog until 1999 when their website was launched and the catalog products were represented by photos instead of illustrations. At that time Ron began painting the front covers of every issue until the family sold their business to TJX (TJ Maxx and Marshalls) in 2012. As one of the owners, Ron was able to retire and continue to follow his passion of painting until he suffered a stroke in 2015. Afterwards, he said he’d “lost his passion” due to the resulting physical issues that impeded his abilities, inspiration, and drive.

RON’S LIFE OUTSIDE OF ART

Ron found and immediately fell in love with a special piece of land and historic house in Monroe, WA, where he moved in 1996. Over the years he added onto his house, retaining its original style, and he built a large art studio and other structures including his magnificent “Bottle House.” He applied his imaginative and creative skills to his acreage, giving it a park-like feel. He built unique pathways, rock structures, custom fire-pits, and planted many rare and special trees and shrubs, while continuously creating memories. He was married on “Ronnylama-Land” to Deanna R. Hobbs in 2002, and their daughter, Lily Rayne Richardson, was born in 2003. Ron and Deanna were divorced in 2005, but Lily was shared between them and everyone knew Lily was the light of Ron’s life.

Ron was gifted with the ability to touch the lives of others in a positive way and he attracted many very close friends wherever he went. He even stayed in touch with a few elementary school friends from San Jose, a large number of wonderful friends from Reno, many from his days in Seattle, and he touched the lives of many in the Monroe area not to mention a number of enduring friends from Sierra Trading Post in Wyoming. His friends describe him as a colorful and unique character, honest and kind, without guile. He could always be counted on for fun, laughter, and surprises. Ron left a large legacy of very special friends.

Ron’s melanoma was diagnosed 2 ½ years ago, although it seems he knew about this “weird growth” since the late 1990s, but thought it was a birth mark and never spoke about it. He was given up to six months originally if he did nothing, but he chose to fight it with the best physicians and medical options available. He maintained a positive attitude and remained strong even as negative news came to him. During our last Christmas visit, Ron said that he had an experience with Jesus and as a result had given up drinking. That final day in the presence of family and friends Ron asked us to pray with him and he was blessed with a quick passing into the hands of Jesus.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

We are planning to hold a Celebration of Ron’s Life on July 13, 2024 at his house, 26325 Van Brocklin Road, Monroe, WA. Time to be determined. We hope that Ron’s many friends will join his family for this special time of Celebration. There will be food and beverages so we would appreciate your emailing Mark Richardson if you plan to attend at: mnrich@gmail.com. If you can’t email then please text Mark at 425-210-4848. This will also enable us to contact you with additional information such as exact times.