THOMAS 'TOM' RICHARDS, 74 Art Professor LAKELAND - Mr. Thomas James Leeman Richards, 74, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2015, in Lakeland due to respiratory failure. He was born July 19, 1940, in Cameron, West Virginia to Nelson and Mildred Richards. Tom attended the First Baptist Church at The Mall. Mr. Richards was preceded in death by his brother, Grant Richards. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Richards; sons, Thomas (Kim) Richards of Lakeland and Matthew (Sara) Richards of Lakeland; daughter, Mildred Ann Hayes of Hilton Head, South Carolina; brothers, William and John Richards; sisters, Jacqueline Bonar, Laura Lee Cook and Norida Hinerman; grandchildren, Austin, Ridge and Zen Richards, Madison and Lauren Hayes, Cora and Zoe Richards; great granddaughter, Taylor Richards; special nephew, Kris Andaur; and several other nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be Wednesday at 11AM at the Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home at Serenity Gardens, 3350 Mall Hill Drive. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice.