Jim Richards passed from this earth on April 1, 2022. He was born Nov. 27, 1948 in Newport, NH to Byron (Barney) and Alma Richards. Jim lived his full life in Lempster, NH. He attended the one room schoolhouse in E. Lempster for 1st-4th grade and then went to the newly opened Goshen-Lempster Cooperative School for 5th-8th grade. Jim graduated in 1966, in the last class to graduate from Newport Towle High School.
Jim worked from 1972-2014 in the automotive field at Crowley Chevrolet, Reliable Auto, Howe Motors, Subaru of Claremont and retiring from Morningside Service Station. He received the ASE Senior Master Technician certification. He most enjoyed working on electrical and air conditioning issues.
He served his community as a 55 year member of the Lempster Fire Dept. with 8 of those years being chief. From 1978-2021, he served 9 years as Deputy Forest Warden and 35 years as Warden. For 41 years, he served as the town's Civil Defense/Emergency Management Director. Jim was a life-time member of the Grafton-Sullivan County Forest Fire Wardens Assoc.
Jim has been an active member of Claremont Calvary Baptist Church since 1978. During those years, he faithfully served in the Audio-Video ministry.
Jim is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara; son David (Carrie) of Lempster, daughter Rebecca DeCamp and grandson Byron DeCamp of Claremont, plus several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother William Richards.
Calling hours will be Friday, April 8, from 6-8pm at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad St., Claremont, NH and a celebration of life on Saturday, April 9, at 11am at Calvary Baptist Church, 97 Maple Avenue, Claremont, NH. Interment will be later in the spring. Stringer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Jack Byrne Center and sent to Office of Development, Dartmouth-Hitchcock, One Medical Center Drive, HB7070, Lebanon, NH 03756. Checks should be made out to Dartmouth Hitchcock Health and note "Jack Byrne Center" on the memo line.