Obituary of Jerry Kent Richmond

Jerry Kent Richmond, 82, passed away on March 18, 2024 in Palm Coast, FL. Born July 24, 1941 in Dansville, NY to Kenneth G. Richmond and Marion Sterner Richmond, Jerry is a 1959 graduate of Dansville Central School. He was active in Boy Scouts reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. He spent hours on his bike, delivering newspapers early in the morning and "commuting" between Dansville and the family cottage on Conesus Lake. When not boating, waterskiing, and fishing, he could be found at K. G. Richmond, Inc, learning to repair lawnmowers, tractors, appliances, trucks, and tinkering with CARS (his life's obsession). After graduating from Alfred State College in 1962, Jerry continued his education at the University of Georgia studying Agriculture Economics. His first weekend on campus, he met Margie Hayes on a blind date. They married in April 1965 and settled in Atlanta where Jerry worked for International Harvester Credit Corporation. In Dec 1966, he was drafted and served in the Army at Fort Benning, Fort Rucker, and Fort Eustis before going to Vietnam as part of the Tet Offensive in 1968. In December 1968, Jerry--with Margie in tow--returned to Dansville and spent the next 3 decades working in the family business. He was a community leader serving as an officer of both Dansville and Livingston County Chambers of Commerce, an avid member of the Lion's Club holding nearly every office including President, and a member of Noyes Memorial Hospital Board of Directors. In the early 70s, he was instrumental in transforming the old hospital into Bradner House, a senior living facility. One of his greatest honors was being named Dansville's Citizen of the Year. Jerry grew up in the Dansville Presbyterian Church and in 1969 was the youngest person ever to be chosen an elder. Over the years, he served in nearly every volunteer capacity, including the development of The Samaritan Fund, a program for helping recovering alcoholics. In 1993, Jerry and Margie moved to northeastern PA where he worked for Tom Hesser BMW in Scranton. The lifelong car enthusiast was in his glory there. He continued to volunteer in various capacities at the First Presbyterian Church of Hawley, including Chair of the Administration Committee. In 2004, the couple moved to Baltimore. There Jerry had a serious illness that required a 5-month hospitalization that nearly took his life. In 2008 while living in Boonton, NJ, he received a ground-breaking procedure at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston that gave him a new lease on life. That lease lasted nearly 20 years. From 2008-2016, Mt Cobb, PA was home base. When Margie retired in 2010, they enjoyed winters in St. Petersburg, FL which eventually became their primary residence. Since 2017, the family spends summers back in northeastern PA at Cobbs Lake Preserve. Jerry's greatest joy was his grandsons—Archer born in 2013 and Finn in 2015. The couple moved to Palm Coast in October of 2023 to be near family. Jerry was enthusiastically looking toward the future with a new home and places to explore. In addition to his wife Margie, beloved only daughter Holly, her husband Danny Broadhurst, and his grandsons, Jerry is survived by his dear sisters Suzanne Andres and Carol Dunn, her husband Ron, five nieces and nephews and their children. Two memorial services are planned. The first is April 5 at First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg, FL and the other is June 1 at First Presbyterian Church of Hawley, PA. Remembrances may be made to either church.