Thomas Earle "Tom" Richardson, 85, passed away on March 13, 2017 in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He was born on July 5, 1931 in Texarkana, Texas to John and Mary Charlotte Richardson. Tom was raised in the oil fields of West Texas and Southern Illinois.Tom Graduated from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville with a Bachelors Degree. He then attended Perkins School of Theology, SMU, of Dallas Texas with MTL (plus a year of graduate study). He had a additional year of study at Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, New Jersey.He met Corinne Clendenon while serving as interim pastor at Kahoka, MO and they were married on June 3, 1956.Tom served 20 years as a chaplain in the United States Air Force. As a member of the New Mexico Conference of the United Methodist Church he pastored at Tularosa (twice), Ruidoso, and St. Andrews UMC in Albuquerque.He served as Associate Pastor at Grace UMC in Alamogordo for twelve years from 1985-1997 and retired from active ministry in 1997 with 43 years service as a United Methodist minister.Tom was a member of the White Sands Rotary Club for 20 years and received two Paul Harris Fellow's. For many years he served on The Salvation Army Board in Utah and New Mexico. Tom was active with The Mission Committee at Grace UMC, especially with the Faith Promise program. Following his retirement he taught an adult Sunday school class for 15 years.Survivors include his wife, Corinne Richardson and four cousins: Davis Richardson of Houston, TX; Fontaine Richardson at Carlise, MA; Robert Richardson of Little Rock AR; and John Richardson of South Lake TX.He was preceded in death by father, John Earle Richardson, and mother, Mary Charlotte Richardson.The family will greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 16 at Alamogordo Funeral Home.The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, March 17 at Grace United Methodist Church with Rev. Dustin Wilhite and Dr. Steve McElroy officiating.Burial will follow the service at Monte Vista Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Grace United Methodist Church in Alamogordo, NM.