Tom Richards, 77, of Rising City, died Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at Holmes Lake Rehabilitation & Care in Lincoln.
Mass of Christian Burial Friday, February 10, 2023, 10:30 A.M.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Shelby Rev. Andrew Litt, Celebrant
Visitation Thursday 5-7 PM with 7 PM Rosary at the church
Visitation continues Friday morning one hour prior to Mass
Lunch at the Shelby Legion Hall immediately following Mass
Committal in the Circle Mound Cemetery, Rising City after lunch
Memorials in care of the family for future designation
Tom was born July 21, 1945 in David City to Thomas W. Richards, Sr. and Eloine (Marker) Richards. He was raised on the farm south of Rising City and attended District 70. He was the only student that Helen Hinze taught from K thru 8th grade. He graduated from Rising City High School in 1963. In May of 1964, he enlisted in the United States Army, doing his basic training at Ft. Leonardwood, MO. and then to Fort Ord California. He spent the last two years of his enlistment at Bad Kissingen, Germany. He was Honorably discharged in February of 1967. On June 22, 1968, he married Rosella Topil at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelby. They lived in Rising City and he operated Tom's Car Clinic from 1976-2012. Tom loved cars and raced stock cars all over eastern Nebraska from 1969-1981. He and Rose then got into drag racing. He helped build and operate Thunder Lake Speedway north of Rising City. Tom had a Model A when he was 13 years old and it sat in the trees for many years. He worked on it for several years and finished it in 2008. He and Rose attended many car shows throughout the area.
Tom is survived by his wife, Rose of Rising City, son Jamie and wife Michelle of Rising City, their children Jerrica (Austin) Babb and Damon (Ashley) Richards, and grandchildren Mallik and Averi Richards, daughter Tina (Adrian) Hein, their children Colin, Cali and Kyle (Felicia) Hein and grandchild Peyton. Also surviving are two brothers, Terry Richards of Missouri, Rick (Steve) Richards of Omaha and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Thomas, Sr. and Eloine and in-laws Fred and Agnes Topil.
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