PAMPANGO, PHILIPPINES
Jay Douglas Richards, age 60 passed away April 23, 2024, in Angeles City, Pampango, Philippines. He was the son of Kay S. Richards and the late Charles M. Richards and was born in Columbus, Indiana on January 22, 1964.
Jay graduated from Columbus North High School in 1982 and attended Hanover College. While in high school he won awards for his art. He was employed at Gross Hardware, The Republic and the Unemployment Office before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed comic book collecting, pop culture, White Castle sliders and was an avid runner. He did his basic training at Ft. Dix, New Jersey before going to the Defense Language Institute/ Foreign Language Center at The Presidio in California. While in California he ran across the Golden Gate Bridge many times. He spent several years stationed in South Korea. Next, he was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Tacoma, Washington. Then he moved to Ft. Ord in Monterey, California and occasionally could be found running alongside Pebble Beach Golf Course. He received additional training at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Texas. He completed his career as a Military Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal. After 22 years of service, he retired to the Philippines and was able to enjoy his hobbies of running, movies, music, electronics and technology.
He married Mary Jane Yabba on Nov. 3, 2005. She was a devoted wife caring for him during his recent illnesses. There was a traditional Filipino service with cremation afterwards.
Jay is survived by his wife, Mary Jane of the Philippines, mother, Kay S. Richards of Columbus, brother, Erik (Jenni) Richards of Hope, sister, Leslie Richards of Columbus; aunts: Carol (Larry) McCord and Connie Munn of Columbus; and Elaine McIntyre of Lawton, Oklahoma and an uncle, Calvin (Marilyn) Richards of Columbus; several cousins; 3 nieces and one nephew; 2 great nieces and 2 great nephews.
