James McDowell “Mac” Richards, Jr. ’53

James McDowell “Mac” Richards, Jr. ’53, 79, died Jan. 30 due to complications from a bad respiratory infection. His wife, Bonnie Gay McClellan Richards, 72, who also died from complications from a respiratory infection, died on Jan. 24 in their home in Green Valley, Ariz. He was professor emeritus at the University of Alabama and retired as chief research scientist from the Medical School in Birmingham after a long career as a scientist. Bonnie was a childhood education professor and community educator. The Richards are survived by three sons, John “Michael” McClellan Richards ’82, 749 South St., Waltham, MA 02453, Stephen Richards, and Thomas Richards. He is survived by a brother, Charles Malone Richards ’68, and a sister, and she is survived by a sister. Richards served as the treasurer of the Democratic Club of the Santa Rita area, and he supported his wife in her passionate community and political involvement.