GERARD RICHARDSON

Gerard Richardson ,61 years old, passed on Thursday July 15, 2021, at Methodist Dallas Hospital.

Gerard Richardson was born on July 18, 1959, in Manhattan, New York at Manhattan Hospital to proud parents, Major and Dorothy Richardson and was the youngest of 3 children.

Gerard attended NYC Public School, but later transferred to Sacred Heart Catholic School in Bronx, New York. He graduated from Automotive High School in Brooklyn, New York in 1977.  Gerard enlisted in the United States Army in 1977. His first duty station was at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. His tour of duty took him from Germany back to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Gerard served 9 years as an Infantryman as well as 7 years as a Lance Missile Crew Member. He earned several awards in his years of service to include: the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Commendation Medal. His talents in leadership led him to attend and complete Instructor Training, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Basic Leadership Course and Primary Leadership Development Course shaping soldiers and remaining committed to the mission. While stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, Gerard met and married the love of his life (wife) Rodessa Reece. Gerard and Rodessa were joined in holy matrimony June 19, 1982, to this union 3 children Tanika, Gerard Jr. and Rodney. His family traveled with him to and from Germany and back to Ft. Sill until he got out of the military as Staff Sergeant in 1993.

Gerard started his career as an over the road truck driver with Schneider National in 1993. Again, Gerard’s passion in developing others led him to serve as a Schneider National Driving Instructor from 2000 until July 2021 earning several accolades: Certified Driving Instructor since 2000, Certified HazMat and Tanker Bulk Training 2003, awarded Instructor of the Quarter 2006, Received the Operational Presidential Award 2014, and Employee of the Month twice in 2018. Gerard had a passion for driving and truly enjoyed his career as an instructor. He absolutely loved his fellow Schneider team members who knew him as G-Rod. His favorite pasttime was spinning records.

In his younger years, Gerard was a DJ known as “Count J Rock”, he later dropped “Count J” and was known by the name Rock. He was a family man that absolutely loved his children, grandchildren, and family.

Gerard was preceded in death by his father, Major Richardson, brother, Edgar Richardson, as well as his father in-law and mother-in-law Eugene & Pauline Reece.

Gerard is survived by his wife, Rodessa of the home, his daughter Tanika Brisbane of Philadelphia, PA; sons, Gerard Jr. (Eugena) of Lawton, OK and Rodney (Kristian) of Ft. Hood, TX; mother, Dorothy Richardson of Bronx, NY; sister, Renee Richardson of Bronx, NY; ten grandchildren; as well as a host of family and countless friends.