Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Richardson, John Nelson July 5 2004
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
K Taylor bluewolf@onemain.com July 10, 2004, 1:46 am

The Bakersfield Californian 
John Nelson Richardson

Jan. 23, 1947 July 5, 2004 

An amazing man passed our way for a short time shining his light on us for 
only 57 years. Nelson was born in Santa Monica, CA on January 23, 1947 to John 
and Martha Anne Richardson. He passed away at home from complications from Non 
Hodgkins Lymphoma, surrounded by his loving family on July 5, 2004. Nelson 
lived a full life. A proud SamoHi grad, Nelson went to college and had a short 
break in 1967 when he was in the US Army serving in Vietnam. He later 
completed both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in art from Humboldt State. While 
in Eureka he married Gayle and daughter Chelsea was born. While in college he 
purchased his much loved property in Sand Canyon near Tehachapi.

After working in Eureka as a draftsman and graphic designer he began looking 
for work near Sand Canyon. He moved his family to Bakersfield to work at KBAK 
29, where he remained as art director for 18 years. His second child, Chad, 
was born in Bakersfield. Nelson was a successful artist; his works are in 
numerous public, private and published collections, a renowned designer, 
photographer and animator. He won prestigious awards for both his fine and 
commercial art. He designed many local logos including one for the Centennial 
Celebration. For years he taught as an adjunct professor at CSUB, BC and other 
colleges. He earned his MFA from Syracuse University so he could become a full 
time professor. In 1996 he realized his dream by creating the computer graphic 
design program and being the first full time faculty to teach the subject for 
Bakersfield College. He loved teaching and seeing his students excel. 
Community minded, he served on many boards and committees and was past 
president of the 20/30 Club and later joined Bakersfield East Rotary Club. 

Although later divorced, Nelson remained a very active and proud father. He 
encouraged both his children to realize their full potential and is very proud 
of his daughter going to dental school and his son pursuing his music studies 
and career. He met his wife Jeanette in 1994 and they were married in 1995. 
They shared a love for the arts, travel and spending time with their family 
and friends. As Nelson said, we just clicked and everyone around us knew we 
would be together before we would admit it to ourselves. They blended their 
lives and two families together with her sons growing to love and respect him 
as a father figure.

Knowing he is in a better place now, but still missing him terribly, are his 
wife Jeanette; children, Chelsea and Chad; father, John; brothers, W. Knox and 
sister-in-law Michele Weaver and Michael Richardson. Also grieving his loss 
are step sons CJ Jones and family; Christopher Parks; mother-in-law, Betty 
Padgett; sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Harold Bryan; his many aunts, 
uncles, cousins and very special family friends. His Mother, Martha Anne 
precedes him in death.

Nelson wanted to thank Dr. Ravi Patel and all of the caring people at CBCC and 
Optimal Hospice for making it possible to be at home when he passed. A 
celebration of Nelsons life will take place Saturday, July 10th at 10a.m. in 
the Chapel of Hillcrest Memorial Park; a time to share memories will take 
place at the family home following the service. 


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased.

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