It is with great sadness that the family of Arlen C. Richardson announce his passing on December 18, 2020 after a brief battle with cancer. 

Born in Oakland, CA on September 2, 1943, Arlen grew up on his family farm along the Santa Fe railroad in Denair, CA.  He attended Denair High School where he was active in sports.  He was varsity football honorary captain, a letterman, played basketball and ran track.  After high school graduation, Arlen worked in the shipyards in Oakland, CA and soon joined the Army where he served in the Vietnam War.

After honorably discharging from the Army, Arlen’s career included working for the U. S. Postal Service in Modesto and Turlock for over 30 years.  He worked as a letter carrier and at the end of his career managed the maintenance of the postal vehicle fleet. Arlen was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers and served as president and many other offices of the local group before retiring in 2001.

In retirement, Arlen moved from Denair to enjoy his time in the small mountain town of Mi Wuk Village where he became known to many as the “Unofficial Mayor”. He enjoyed fishing and hiking in the mountains, kayaking at Pinecrest Lake and reading. He was the Director of the Mi Wuk Community Center and Lending Library, served for several years as President of the Mi Wuk Homeowners Alliance, who runs the library and community center and member of the High Country Friends of the Library. He was devoted to keeping the library open for the community after it was closed by the county. He was also an avid supporter of the Mi Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District Auxiliary, member of the American Legion and Sons in Retirement where he served as “Joke Master” for 2 years.

Arlen was always a model of strong will and determination right up until the end of his journey. He had a lifelong mission of finding the best chicken fried steak and a night wasn’t complete without dessert and an episode of Jeopardy. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his timeless words of wisdom.  His “Arlen jokes” will not be forgotten. If there is a place in the afterlife to hear jokes, that’s where you will find Arlen proudly making people laugh…most of the time.

Arlen was predeceased by his parents John D. and Opal, sister Collien, son Robert and half-brothers Frank and Joe.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cathy, daughters Annie, Cady and Cassandra, sister Linda (Richard) McAlister, nephew Micah (Melissa) Sanders, and great nieces Mia and Monroe. 

Memorial contributions in Arlen’s honor can be made to Mi Wuk Area Homeowners Alliance, P. O. Box 46,         Mi Wuk Village, CA 95346, Mi Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District Auxiliary, P. O. Box 22, Mi Wuk Village, CA 95346 or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Donor Services,  P. O. Box 98018, Washington, DC, 20090-8018.

A memorial service will be held at a later date due to the pandemic restrictions.