Dr. L.A. Richardson, was born on July 14, 1929, in Doucette, Texas, and passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026, in Spring, Texas, at the age of 97.
To know Dr. L.A. Richardson was to know a man who loved Jesus Christ deeply and devoted his life to making sure others had the opportunity to know Him, too. His life was marked by faith, prayer, service, evangelism, and an unwavering commitment to the Gospel. Above all else, his greatest desire was that every person he encountered would come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
L.A. proudly served his country as a Private First Class in the Headquarters Battery, 647th Armored Field Artillery, of the National Guard of Texas and the National Guard of the United States. He enlisted in the United States Army and served from October 1949 through December 1951.
Throughout his long and remarkable life, L.A. served others in many different capacities. He worked as a history teacher in Miranda City, Texas, and later became involved with the Beaumont Police Department's C.A.P.P. program. As a pastor, he accompanied police officers into situations involving individuals in crisis, providing a calm and compassionate presence and helping officers de-escalate difficult circumstances. His desire was always to help people and, whenever possible, to show them the love of Christ.
Eventually, L.A. felt God's call to full-time ministry. He attended East Texas Baptist College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree on August 22, 1961. He continued his education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth and Rice Institute in Houston. He later earned his Master of Theology and Doctor of Theology degrees from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida.
His doctoral dissertation, "Church Revival, Theory and Practice," reflected the passion that would characterize much of his ministry. In his writings, L.A. concluded that 2 Chronicles 7:14 provides the key to true and lasting revival: God's people must humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways.
This was more than an academic subject for L.A. It was a truth he sought to live and proclaim throughout his life. He believed genuine revival begins when God's people turn their hearts toward God.
Throughout his years in ministry, L.A. served both as a pastor and an evangelist, pastoring many churches, from Texas to Oregon, and carrying the Gospel wherever God opened a door. Wherever God called him, he sought to faithfully preach the Word, shepherd God's people, encourage believers in their faith, and call people to repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Known to many simply as Dr. L.A. Richardson, he dedicated his life to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His ministry took him around the world, including revivals and evangelistic efforts in Romania, India, Russia, and throughout the United States. He was honored by the Baptist General Convention for his contributions to evangelism and his faithful service in proclaiming the Gospel.
Even as the years passed, L.A.'s passion for Christ never diminished. Age did not lessen his desire to pray, witness, encourage others, and speak about the things of God. His body grew older, but his love for Jesus and his concern for the souls of others remained steadfast.
More Than a Preacher—An Evangelist
L.A. was not simply a preacher; he was an evangelist. He believed the Gospel was meant to be taken to people wherever they were—to the church, the hospital, the home, the nursing home, the streets, and even to those who had never darkened the door of a church.
His ministry was not limited to the pulpit. He wanted to know people, serve people, pray with people, and, most importantly, introduce people to Jesus Christ.
A treasured card that L.A. carried in his wallet for many years provides a remarkable glimpse into his heart and the kind of ministry he desired to have. On the card, he wrote that he gladly offered his services to those who needed help. He specifically mentioned visiting the aged, shut-in, and sick, and said he would consider it a privilege to read God's Word and pray with them. He also expressed a desire to be a friend to those in times of need.
But his concern went even further. He wrote that he particularly wanted to meet, get acquainted with, and help those who did not have a church home or were not active in their spiritual life, as well as those who had not accepted Christ's way of eternal life and were without Him as Savior and Lord.
Those words were not simply a description of ministry. They were a reflection of L.A.'s life.
He looked for people who needed encouragement. He looked for people who needed prayer. He looked for people who needed a church home. And he looked for people who needed Jesus.
The other side of that same card contained what L.A. called his "One Minute Sermon," based on Hebrews 10:25:
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is."
His message was simple but profound. He reminded people that while we feed our bodies many times each week, we can easily neglect the spiritual nourishment our souls need. He encouraged people to make a regular appointment with the Lord by attending church where Christ is preached, reading and studying Scripture, and allowing God's Word to provide the strength, hope, peace, and life that only Christ can give.
L.A. believed these were not merely religious activities. He believed they were matters of eternal importance.
That little card, carried in his wallet, says much about the man he was. It reveals a minister who was willing to go to people rather than simply wait for people to come to him; a pastor who wanted to care for the hurting; a servant who wanted to pray with those in need; and an evangelist who never lost sight of those who were searching for God.
He wanted people to know Jesus.
That desire remained at the center of his life and ministry.
A Man Who Trusted God to Provide
L.A. was a true prayer warrior. He spoke passionately about the power of prayer and often shared testimony after testimony of how God had faithfully provided for his needs.
One story he shared illustrated his faith in God's provision in a simple but powerful way.
There was a time in L.A.'s life when he needed a pair of shoes. Rather than worrying about how he would obtain them, he trusted God to provide what he needed. In time, another person unexpectedly provided him with the shoes he needed.
To L.A., this was not merely a coincidence. It was an answer to prayer and a reminder of God's faithfulness.
He used that experience to teach others a lesson he deeply believed:
"God will provide for your needs, not necessarily your wants. God knows what you need, and He will provide."
He did not see God's provision as an abstract theological idea. He had experienced it personally, and he wanted others to trust God in the same way.
L.A. also spoke often about the power of intercessory prayer. He believed prayer was not simply something Christians did in times of trouble, but a vital part of walking with God and ministering to others.
When speaking about learning the power of intercessory prayer, he would point people to the life of John Hyde, commonly known as "Praying Hyde." L.A. believed studying Hyde's life was a powerful way to understand what it means to faithfully stand in the gap for others through prayer.
Prayer was not merely something L.A. preached; it was something he practiced.
He prayed for people. He prayed for churches. He prayed for revival. He prayed for those who were hurting. And he prayed for those who did not yet know Jesus.
He believed that God hears the prayers of His people and that the greatest needs of humanity are ultimately spiritual.
L.A. often carried salvation bracelets in his pockets so that he could share the Gospel wherever he went. Whether speaking to a large crowd or talking with one person, his message remained the same:
Jesus saves, and every person needs to know Him.
Through his evangelistic ministry and his work alongside David Stockwell, L.A. was instrumental in leading thousands of people to Christ. It was reported that, through their ministry, more than 20,000 people were led to Christ each year. David Stockwell described L.A. as the "greatest co-laborer and servant of God" he had ever known.
Yet L.A.'s legacy cannot be measured only in numbers, degrees, honors, or miles traveled.
His greatest legacy is found in the lives of the people he encountered and in the countless individuals who heard the Gospel because he was willing to go, speak, pray, and serve.
His deepest concern was never his own recognition. His concern was the eternal destiny of others.
Outside of ministry, L.A. found great joy in fishing, hunting, photography, and, most of all, spending time with his family. He cherished those close to him and carried his love for people into every part of his life.
After nearly a century of life and decades of faithful ministry, Dr. L.A. Richardson has finished his earthly race.
He now stands in the presence of his Savior, Jesus Christ—the One he loved, preached, prayed to, and faithfully served throughout his life.
Those He Leaves Behind
L.A. was preceded in death by his first wife, Cherry Lane Perkins Richardson, whom he married on August 15, 1953, and who passed away on February 13, 2020; and his second wife, Vera Jo Still, whom he married on June 6, 2021, and who passed away on November 11, 2025.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, Rosalie Duff Richardson and Lemuel Archibald Richardson, Sr., and his siblings, Jewel Richardson; Albert Bonner Richardson; Clifford Holley Bailey; Rev. Oscar Byron Richardson; Grace Richardson Childers; Joe Edwin Richardson; and Dr. Charles Allen Richardson.
He is survived by his loving children:
Dr. Larry Richardson and wife, Grace Richardson;
Karen Suzanne Richardson Cauthen and husband, Terry Cauthen; and
Kathy Lynn Bostwick and husband, Mark Wiesen.
He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren:
Jessica Sun Richardson;
Melissa Bates and husband, Steven Bates;
Courtney Chancelor and fiancé, Rodney Davis;
Valerie Vasquez and husband, Christopher Vasquez;
Andrea Vasquez and husband, Robert Vasquez;
Joshua Richardson;
Alan Michael Richardson;
Gregory Alan Bostwick;
Blake Bostwick and wife, Morgan Bostwick;
Shawn Cauthen and wife, Hillary Cauthen; and
Christy Cauthen and fiancé, Chad Cooper.
L.A. also leaves behind numerous beloved great-grandchildren:
Thomas Bates; Taylor Sampaio and husband, Matthews Sampaio; Thea Bates; Timberlyn Bates; Titus Bates; Reese Vasquez; Aria Vasquez; Camden Vasquez; Cohen Chancelor; Carter Chancelor; Avery Pinon; Ethan Pinon; Mila Pinon; Corbin Vasquez; Zoe Vasquez; Gavin Vasquez; Deliah Vasquez; Bella Cauthen; Brooklyn Cauthen; Piper Cauthen; London Cauthen; William Pope; and Alexander Pope.
He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Sue Perkins, Nyla Perkins, and Velma Slayter; brother-in-law, Dee Perkins, Jr.; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Services
Visitation for Dr. L.A. Richardson will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Melancon Levingston Funeral Home, 5601 39th Street, Groves, Texas 77619.
A Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Melancon Levingston Funeral Home, 5601 39th Street, Groves, Texas 77619.
A graveside service will commence immediately following the funeral service at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 3900 N. Twin City Highway, Groves, Texas 77619.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor and memory of Dr. L.A. Richardson may be sent to Faith Baptist Temple, 114 4th Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627.
Mailing address:
Faith Baptist Temple
P.O. Box 1652
Nederland, Texas 77627
If L.A. could leave one final message with those who knew him, it would not be to remember his accomplishments. It would be to seek Jesus. He would want the lost to be saved, the believer to pray, the church to seek God, and God's people to humble themselves and turn their hearts toward Him.
He spent his life looking for people who needed encouragement, people who needed prayer, people who needed a church home, and people who needed Jesus. That little card in his wallet said it plainly: he wanted to help those who were without Christ as Savior and Lord.
His life's message was simple: Jesus Christ is Lord. God answers prayer. God provides. Revival begins when God's people seek Him. And the Gospel must be shared.
And if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, L.A. would want you to know that salvation is available to you today. We are all sinners in need of God's forgiveness. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Salvation is not earned by good works; it is received by turning to God and placing your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
If you will repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ, trusting Him for the forgiveness of your sins and the gift of eternal life, you can be saved.
That was the Gospel L.A. preached. That was the Savior he loved. That was the hope he wanted every person to know.
That was the life of Dr. L.A. Richardson. That was his calling. That was his legacy.
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
— Matthew 25:23 (KJV)