Howard Keith Richardson, “Keith”, passed away on October 7, 2025, at his home after a three-and-a half-year brave battle with cancer. Born in 1945 in Pasco, Washington, he was 80 years old. He was a beloved husband, brother, father and stepfather.
As a child his father, Albert Richardson, taught him and his brother, Ken Richardson, how to hunt, fish, as well as back country survival skills, to name a few. Al also instilled in his boys, honesty and a strong work ethic.
Keith attended high school in The Dalles, Oregon, where he played football as a Riverhawk. He received a football scholarship but couldn’t use it because he was about to be drafted. At age 20, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Viet Nam. He served his country in Viet Nam as a load master on C130 aircraft. He was also qualified as a heavy equipment operator. In 1969 he received an honorable discharge. After returning to the states, he went to Alaska with his long-time friend Dave Tuck. They bartended, prospected and hunted a few years. Dave and Keith remained lifelong friends.
He returned After to Washington State and he was a food and beverage manager for several high-end hotel chains, including The Dunes International.
He later went to work for PacWest glass, and made deliveries to Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Later, he also drove for OroWheat, when he moved to the Mt Hood area.
When he wasn’t on the road, he was home breaking horses, horseback riding, and horse packing.
In 1993, he moved to Butte, Montana where he met the love of his life, Aleta (Rickey) Richardson, with whom he spent the next 32 years. He went to Work for Hill’s Pet Nutrition as a Route Service Representative (which is a fancy way of saying salesman and delivery driver). He covered southwest Montana, including Galatin, Yellowstone, and Missoula Counties. During his career as a Truck Driver, Keith received a lot of safety awards including being inducted into the Hills Pet Nutrition 10-Year Safe Driving Hall of Fame.
After retirement, Keith kept himself busy with projects around the house. He installed pine tongue and groove in the living room, and did lots of landscaping. But he became bored and went to work for Don and Dan Uland at the compost plant with Les Hasty where he operated a front-end loader. He delighted in running the heavy equipment.
He enjoyed fishing and camping, especially at Glen. He and his wife,, Aleta spent every weekend they could in Glen, building up many of his favorite memories. Activities that he enjoyed most were fishing, singing karaoke, winning at pool, and sharing drinks with his buddies around the campfire. He and Aleta embraced snowmobiling, riding with friends all around southwest Montana, Idaho, Yellowstone Park and Cook City.
He loved animals, especially his border collie cross named ODIE. They loved to swim together, go on road trips together, and share a beer together.
Keith’s passing has left a hole in the hearts and many and we will miss his sense of humor, his easy laugh, his wisdom, and his love.
He is survived by his wife, Aleta Richardson; brother Ken Richardson; sisters Cindy {Jim) Ray; Teri Hall; son Travis Richardson, grandson Keith Richardson, 3 grandchildren, his stepdaughter Colene Kelley, {8 children), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Because of his love for animals, in lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Pintler Pets in Anaconda.
A celebration of life will be held at the McQueen Club (corner of Hecla St. and Continental Drive in Butte) from 4:00 to7:00 PM on Friday, October 17, 2025. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Pintler Pets, 80 Silver Street, Anaconda, M”T 59711. Keith will be interred at Fort Harrison Cemetery in Helena at a later time.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Albert Morgan Richardson and lvanette Gladys (Doucet) Richardson; sister Cheryl (Ron) Davison; brother in law Mike Hall.
Special Thanks to our friend Wayne Brothers, Leslie Fontana, Enhabit Home Health, Dr. Moussou, and Josette Ueland.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care Keith and his family.
Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Keith.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Friday October 17, 2025
McQueen Club
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Friday October 17, 2025
McQueen Club
Butte, Montana 59701
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Kathy Kraut says
Keith was an AWESOME person. I loved talking to him. He was so kind. I really enjoyed when Keith and Aleta would come to my work for some fun. Keith will be truly missed.
My thoughts, prayers, and hugs to Aleta and family.
With Love,
Kathy Kraut
Diane Nees says
Thinking of Aleta at this most difficult time.
Diane Nees and Jerry Robbins