Samuel Paul Richards was born in Shawnee, OK, on December 26, 1945. He was called to his heavenly home on July 9, 2024. Paul was the youngest child of Gordon and Sylvia (Hanson) Richards. He married Kim Ly Molling on June 16, 1984. They recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
Paul is survived by his wife, Kim Ly, son Jim and his wife, Maureen (Story) Richards; their children, Sophia (Stefan) Pedatella, Ana, and Olivia; his older brother, Gordon Richards, Jr.; and his sister, Margaret Ann (Griff) Lindell; nephews Jeff (Cheri) Richards, Sam (Angela) Richards, Paul (Lucia) Lindell, Richard (Cori) Lindell, and niece Elizabeth (Glen) McCord.
A1963 graduate of Shawnee High School (Oklahoma), he attended Oklahoma Baptist University, graduating in 1967. He worked for the US Army as a Cost Assessment Analyst and traveled the world to many US Army bases to see how efficiently they were operating for the budget they were allowed. He attended the University of Oklahoma Law School, graduating in 1973.
He served as Assistant District Attorney for Pottawatomie and Lincoln Counties in Oklahoma and then became an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Department of Justice. He moved to San Diego in 1991 to join the San Diego Public Defender Child Advocate Office from which he retired in 2008.
During their marriage, Paul and Kim Ly traveled to over 100 countries and made many memories. He was active in his church and on several boards and committees, including the YMCA Mission Valley, San Diego.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the YMCA Mission Valley, San Diego. {YMCA of San Diego County, 3708 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123}. Services will be held at a later date in San Diego.
