Wayne Niel Richardson

Wayne Niel Richardson, Apache Junction, Ariz., took his last ride on his way to heaven on Monday, March 14, 2011.

A celebration of Wayne's life was held Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at Goldfield Ghost Town and Mining in Apache Junction, Ariz..  A memorial will be held later this summer in Montana.

Wayne was born and raised in Havre, Mont., where his love of music and cowboys began. 

Wayne always dreamed of being a cowboy and fulfilled his dram in both the big skies of Montana and the beautiful deserts of Arizona.  Wayne attended school in the Chinook and Havre area and completed his education in Hamilton, Mont., where he graduated. 

Shortly after high school, Wayne joined the Navy to serve his country during the Vietnam conflict. After Wayne's service years, he returned to the Havre area where he worked for the Great Northern Railroad with his dad. 

Wayne soon discovered that this was not the life for him.  Wayne then worked on several ranches in the Chinook area where he learned the life of a cowboy. 

Wayne had four beautiful daughters with his first wife Sharon, when they moved to northern Idaho. This is where Wayne first felt his calling to preach God's word. He felt his ministry was to be a cowboy preacher.  During his early years in the ministry, Wayne taught himself to play the guitar under the guiding hand of one of his favorite musicians, his mom, Avis Groseclose. 

Wayne preached at the Mount Hall Church and the New Life Church in Troy, Mont.  Wayne's love of music came naturally as his family, through his Mom, have a strong musical heritage. Wayne and his mom, a well-known fiddle player, accompanied by several different musicians played and sang gospel and country music throughout Idaho, Montana and several provinces of Canada. 

Eventually their music led them to Nashville where Wayne recorded his first record, The Mater's Call. Wayne's music, love of horses and the cowboy way were his trademark.

Wayne loved everyone and never met a stranger. He was always ready to share a story, a song, to encourage someone and to even share the clothes on his back. 

As one of Wayne's nieces said, "I guess God needed a number-one hand for his ranch in heaven." 

Wayne was preceded in death by his dad, Cecil Richardson. 

He is survived by his beloved stepdad, Bill and his friend and mother Avis Groseclose; his step-mother Shirley Richardson; his four daughters: Sarah (Joe) Reynolds, Gracie (Allen) Steele, Angela (Dan) Flathers and Lucinda Vetter. 

Wayne also leaves behind 13 well-loved grandchildren Sean Wayne, Quentin, Raquel (Weezy), Alyssa, Becka, Jolene, Jayden, Taylor, Lillian, Logan, Breanna, Jamison and Madison. 

Wayne also leaves behind brothers Ralph "Buffy" (Jean) Richardson and Steve (Tammy) Groseclose; his sisters Nancy Sabo, Neva Jo (Leo) Miller, Cathy (Hank) Lawatsch, Peggy (John) Gideon and Lisa (George) Goodyard, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.