Born of goodly parents… . Tom was born in Los Angeles on October 14, 1954, and is third of ten children. At a very young age, he worked with his brothers, helping with their father’s early morning newspaper delivery business. When Tom was 12, his family moved to Fresno, California, where his father purchased an interest in a paving business. Tom and his brothers learned to work hard in this business and every other kind of work they could find. He saved for school and for a future full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tom was very talented in music. During high school he taught himself to play the tuba, and the string bass. He taught himself to play the guitar, and shared that talent throughout his life, delighting those who listened or sang with him. During his high school years, Tom became known as “Big T”. He rarely met a troubled automobile engine that he couldn’t bring back to life and was known by a motto: “If this doesn’t fix it, then get a bigger hammer!”. Not long after graduating from Fresno High, he served a two-year mission in Toronto, Canada. He developed a life-long bond with his Mission President, Elder M. Russell Ballard, and always looked fondly upon his missionary services and experience.

After his mission, Tom attended BYU. In 1977 he married Carol Stubbs; and they began a family that grew to six children. After graduating from BYU, Tom attended Law School at UOP McGeorge School of Law, in Sacramento, California. He received his Juris Doctor degree and then took and passed the difficult California Bar Exam. He started his legal career as law clerk to the Federal Court Magistrate and later joined a wonderful law firm in Visalia. He ultimately established a private civil litigation practice there.

Tom adored each of his children and was deeply involved in their lives as they grew up, making sure that they were loved, and had firm testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Tom loved to go out on his boat, fish, and camp, and was involved in the Scouting program. He had an athletic and musical life. He was very talented and versatile and became an excellent non-alcoholic beverage mixologist. He could fix just about anything that was broken and was a skilled landscaper. He put in yards for many friends and family members. Tom loved history, with the Civil War and WWII being two of his favorite subjects. He devoured every documentary and book that he could find on them. After moving to North Carolina, he loved driving around with his wife throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, and stopping at roadside signs that marked historic sites and events from the Civil and Revolutionary Wars.

Tom married Cynthia Davis in 2018, and moved to North Carolina, where he and Cindy, and her dear mother “Mom” Margaret Medlin lived together in the city of Pleasant Garden. He was immediately tagged with the name “Thomas the Train” by his new granddaughter, Kieryn. Tom loved and adopted Cindy’s N.C. family and close friends. He was at Cindy’s, Mama’s and the family’s side giving support and spiritual help as the family experienced several deaths over the past 7 years and was a constant support to Cindy and Mama. He was always quick to give assistance when he became aware of needs and gave many Priesthood blessings whenever asked.

Tom is survived by his loving wife: Cynthia, and his mother-in-law: “Mom” Margaret Medlin, both of Pleasant Garden, N.C.; his siblings: Kristine and Steven Smith, Clovis, California; Jon and Tawnya Richey, Lehi, Utah; Mark and Kristin Richey, Highland, Utah; Lisa Roubicek, Clovis, California; Suzanne and Stewart Fitts, Summerlin, Nevada; David Richey, Cedar Hills, Utah; James and Heather Richey, Fort Collins, Colorado; Kris and Neil Denison, Herriman, Utah; his children: Carly and Keith Neubert; Claire and Scott Perry; Andrew, Cameron, Clayton, and Aaron Richey; his grandchildren: Hayes and Elin Perry; and his “North Carolina family”: sister-in-law: Tamrey Davis, High Point, North Carolina; daughter: Shawna and Forrest Crawley, Winder, Georgia; grandchildren: Tyler, Ayden and Kieryn; and many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents: Joseph L. and Sharon Richey, his brothers Paul and Joe Jr., and his brother-in-law: Mike Roubicek. His best, lifelong friends are John Erickson, John Turner, Warren Turner, Aaron Draper and Larry Draper.

Tom loved being near his loving brothers and sisters, and family members. Family meant the world to him. He never complained. He never spoke badly of anyone. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Abide With Me…’Tis Eventide.