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Meeting ID: 826 9646 2744
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Jonah Oscar Richardson was born in Dermott, Arkansas on December 11, 1938. He was the youngest son of the late Hurlee and Ruby McHenry. His family moved to Kansas City, Missouri when he was 10 years old. He attended Manual Vocational High School in Kansas City and got his GED prior to joining the Air Force in December 1955. He separated from the service in 1959. Jonah came to Washington, DC where he worked at the Pentagon while waiting to get the results of the D.C. Fire and EMS Department exam. He has the distinction of being one of the first black firemen assigned to integrate Engine Company No. 21. He retired from the fire department in August of 1980 and was a member of the Fellowship of Retired Police and Firemen. Jonah was also a Capitol Cab driver in the District of Columbia for many years.
For decades, Jonah was an avid bowler in the Washington Metropolitan area and could be found on the “lanes” at least 5 nights of the week. He was associated with multiple leagues at both Capital Plaza and Marlow Heights bowling alleys and held league officer positions in several of the leagues. The leagues consisted of Black Ski, Mixed Wild Bunch, Bottom Liners, Sunday Night Bowl, Thursday Night Commercial, and Happy Hour Rollers.
He was very athletic from a young age, loved to play baseball and roller skate and was a great dancer! He enjoyed playing card games, particularly poker, bid whist and pinochle, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. What people mention most about him is that he was funny. He was warm and funny. His friends called him Good Buddy as he was friendly and welcoming to everyone.
He was especially proud of his 38 year AA sobriety medallion
He leaves to cherish his memories his three children Yolanda, Consuella and Clayton, his siblings John L. and Luzenna, the mother of his children Ruth, daughter-too LaTonja (Marvin and sons), his companion and caregiver Wanda, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his daughter Artelia, his brother John, siblings Timothy and Hurlee Jr. and his partner Gloria.