SLS 20RS-727 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 11
BY SENATOR WHITE
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Clifton Russell "Clif"
Richardson, former Justice of the Peace and legislator, community leader, and businessman.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 passing of the Honorable Clifton Russell "Clif" Richardson and to acknowledge his
4 lifelong commitment to public service.
5 WHEREAS, it is with deep remorse that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
6 has learned of the death of businessman and former legislator, Clifton Russell "Clif"
7 Richardson, who passed away on March 6, 2020, at the age of seventy-five, at his home in
8 Greenwell Springs, Louisiana; and
9 WHEREAS, Clif Richardson was an extraordinarily kind gentleman who led a
10 well-balanced life as a public servant, businessman, and devout Christian; and
11 WHEREAS, he embodied the best qualities of a public servant; he held a genuine
12 interest in the people he served and felt a personal responsibility to represent all of his
13 constituency with honesty and integrity; and
14 WHEREAS, Clif served and defended his country in the United States Navy during
15 the Vietnam War and served his community as the Chairman of the Central Fire Department
16 Board as well as many other community organizations; and
17 WHEREAS, he held both local and state offices as a Justice of the Peace for sixteen
18 years and as a Louisiana State Representative representing the concerns of District
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SLS 20RS-727 ORIGINAL
1 Sixty-Five in East Baton Rouge Parish for five years, including service as a member of the
2 House Civil Law and Procedure, Education, Municipal and Parochial Affairs, Natural
3 Resources, and Transportation, Highways and Public Works committees; and
4 WHEREAS, he was elected to serve as a member of the Louisiana House of
5 Representatives from 2008 until 2012 with sixty-seven percent of the vote, and ran
6 unopposed for reelection in 2011, but resigned in 2013 due to health issues; and
7 WHEREAS, for most of his life he worked as an electrical contractor and was the
8 co-founder of Rebel Electric, Heating and Air Conditioning; and
9 WHEREAS, Clif was honored to serve his Lord and his church, being a former
10 Deacon at Lanier Baptist Church and Fellowship Baptist Church, and was also a member of
11 the Central Masonic Lodge and a Shriner; and
12 WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, O.C. Russell Richardson and
13 wife, Frances, and Hansbro Overmire and husband, Clarence; siblings, Dorothy "Dot" Basso
14 and husband, Rudolph "Rudy", Jerome Richardson; and brother-in-law, Ned Martello, his
15 longtime business partner and co-founder of Rebel Electric; and
16 WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Dianne Carpenter
17 Richardson; children, Mark Russell "Rooster" Richardson and wife, Jennifer, and Robin
18 Richardson Stewart and husband, Elmer; grandchildren, Kyle Russell Richardson and fiancé,
19 Caitlin Lanehart, Ashlyn Richardson Sullivan and husband, Aaron, Kaitlyn Richardson
20 McKenzie and husband, Dustin, Taylor Richardson, Matthew Stewart, Andrew Stewart, and
21 Philip Stewart; great-grandsons, Aidan Russell Richardson and Colin James, who is lovingly
22 expected in August; sister, Mary Martello; sister-in-law, Shirley Richardson; as well as
23 numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives; and
24 WHEREAS, Clif was a dedicated servant, devoted husband, loving father,
25 grandfather, brother, and friend who leaves a rich and unique legacy of good works to his
26 family, community, state, and country who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
27 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
28 does hereby express its sincere condolences upon the passing of the Honorable Clifton
29 Russell "Clif" Richardson, former legislator and businessman, and does hereby acknowledge
30 his lifelong commitment to public service.
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SLS 20RS-727 ORIGINAL
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
2 wife, Dianne Carpenter Richardson.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 11 Original 2020 Regular Session White
Expresses condolences upon the death of Clifton Russell "Clif" Richardson, former Justice
of the Peace and legislator, community leader, and businessman.
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