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Obituary
Dr. Bradley Jess Richardson, 60, of
Huntington, WV, died Saturday morning, April 22, 2017, surrounded with love
and care. He fought cancer, without complaint, for a year while continuing
to dedicate himself to his patients. Brad was born October 14, 1956,
in South Charleston, WV, son of Jess W. and Betty Bradley Richardson.
He lived in St. Albans and Cross Lanes, WV throughout his childhood and
before moving to Huntington, WV. Being a doctor is who Brad was; it
wasn't just what he did. He knew, even from very early childhood, that he
would be a doctor. He specialized in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and
Cardiology. Most recently, he was a Physician at MedExpressUrgent Care after
entering partial retirement and closing his private medical practice,
Richardson Medical Services PLLC, in June 2016. Since August 1996, Dr.
Richardson was affiliated with St. Mary's Medical Center serving in many
roles which included Medical Director of the Hospitalist Program. His past
contributions include serving as Cornerstone Hospital of Huntington's Vice
President of Medical Staff, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine for
Marshall University School of Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor of
Medicine for the WV School of Osteopathic Medicine and the Clinical
Instructor of Medicine for the Physician's Assistant Program at Marietta
College. He strove to provide health care to patients as if he were
caring for members of his own family. He was beloved and respected by his
family, friends, colleagues and patients for a life defined by deep
intelligence, compassion, devotion and taking action to help alleviate need.
Dr. Richardson's career reflected a relentless quest to improve health care
outcomes for patients in his care. Over a forty year period, he made
significant contributions in education, mentoring, and health care delivery.
His positive impact also included philanthropic leadership and generosity.
Brad was a 1974 graduate of Nitro High School and received a Bachelor of
Science degree from West Virginia State College (Biology and Chemistry,
1978), Master of Arts from West Virginia University (Curriculum and
Instruction; Science Education, 1980), and Doctor of Education from Pacific
Western University (Education Administration, 1991). He began his high
school teaching career as a student teacher at Nitro High School teaching
biology in the classroom of Almodie Leurant. He continued his career in
Kanawha County as a teacher and Curriculum Consultant with the Teacher Corps
Project and the Cabell Alternative Center and later as a teacher at
Stonewall Jackson High School and Roosevelt Junior High School. He was a
teacher in the science department and Curriculum Director at South Point
High School (1980-1986), a part-time instructor at Ohio University, Southern
Campus (1983-1987) and was Chairman of the Science Department and Honors
Program while teaching at Ironton High School (1986-1988). Brad then
returned to the pursuit of his true life's calling and graduated with honors
from Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (1993) where he
was also an Intern and Resident (1993-1996). He was certified by the
American Board of Medical Examiners Parts I, II, III, American College of
Physicians, American Board of Geriatrics, American Academy of Cardiology and
the Society of Hospital Medicine. Dr. Richardson was a Fellow of the
American College of Geriatrics Specialists, Fellow of the American Academy
of Cardiology, Master of the American Academy of Cardiology, and Fellow in
Hospital Medicine and Society of Hospital Medicine Fellow. He was a member
of the American Medical Association, West Virginia State Medical
Association, Cabell County Medical Society (Past President) and American
College of Physicians. Brad was a passionate horseman and especially
loved the American Saddlebred. As a youth Brad began riding under the
guidance of instructors at Kanawha State Forest. He progressed under the
expert guidance of Marilyn Macfarlane and Dottie Martin at Breezy Knoll
Stables. As a young man he campaigned pleasure horses and then, under the
direction of Dottie Martin, gaited pleasure horses. As an adult he rode with
Shirley Trail. Brad established Beggar's Wish Farm, named in honor of a
rescued and rehabilitated American Saddlebred whom made his final home with
Brad, and campaigned horses trained by Patty Kent. He also enjoyed sending a
young horse to Marilyn Macfarlane to be trained at her Walnut Way Farm. He
was a member of the American Saddlebred Horse Association, American Horse
Shows Association, WV American Saddlebred Breeders Association and the
American Saddlebred Museum. Brad maintained a gracious home and
enjoyed hosting friends and family for holiday and casual gatherings and
meals. He was a member of the Huntington Museum of Art and the Huntington
Symphony Orchestra. Brad was Lutheran with a deep love of Jesus Christ
and relied on his faith for comfort and intervention for himself and for his
patients.
Brad was preceded in death by his father, Jess W. Richardson (August 1979);
deeply loved mother and best friend, Betty Bradley Richardson Ciccarello
(December 2016); and maternal grandparents Andrew Dunlop and Dorothy
Bradley; uncle, Woodrow Bradley; aunts, Dorothy 'Dottie' McFarland Miller
and Emma Baker. Brad was the shining star in the lives of his mother and
grandmother. Brad is survived by his sister, Jessie Richardson and her
husband, Phillip Ellis of Scottown, OH; aunt, Patricia Bradley of
Mooresville, NC; uncle, Gary Baker, of Viera, FL; 6 cousins, Yvonne Bradley,
Connie McDaniel, Anthony Bradley, Dee Dee Coles, Russell Baker, and Jay
Baker. He is also survived by his faithful and beloved companions, American
Saddlebred, Joe, Jack Russell terrier, Lucy, and those loved and loving
friends whom became family by choice rather than by birth. The family
wishes to extend special thanks to the caring physicians and staffs of
Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cabell Huntington Hospital Surgical
Intensive Care Unit/Coronary Care Unit, St. Mary's Medical Center
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House of
Huntington and also the wonderful Pet Partners Certified Therapy Dog, Bella,
and her fur-ever person and facilitator, Karen Miller. We also extend
gratitude and appreciation to Brad's Med Express family and colleagues for
their loving, kind and respectful support of Brad and his family. A
celebration of life and memories is being planned for which details are
pending. Brad has been cremated and his remains will be privately interred
above those of his mother at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes, WV.
The family asks that contributions be made in honor and memory of Brad's
passion for helping horses, dogs and people. Please remember Dr. Bradley J.
Richardson to the following charitable causes:
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