Brent Allen Richardson

Brent Allen Richardson, age 85, of Gulfport, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Brent was an avid reader with a thirst for knowledge in a wide variety of interests. He always had a story to tell and his humor to share, and loved having fun, socializing and being with his family, friends, and high school classmates, and was a member of the Gulfport Yacht Club for decades. Brent was loved dearly by all, and he will truly be missed and remembered for his heart of gold with his very giving and generous spirit in helping others. 

He was a music enthusiast and enjoyed different genres from a broad range of jazz, old blues, classical, and rock artists. Brent loved old movies and all the classic Hollywood films. He enjoyed gourmet cooking and entertained many memorable holidays and parties over the years. 

Brent was a Christian and of the Methodist faith. He was an aesthete, “lover of beauty”, with a deep appreciation and admiration for creation, and the seeking of value in beautiful things such as nature and works of art. 

He was born in Fairhope, Alabama on January 4, 1940. Brent was raised and lived his entire life in his hometown of Gulfport. He graduated from Gulfport High School in 1957, studied at Tulane University from 1958-1961 earning his BS Degree in English, and graduated in the Class of 1965 from the University of Mississippi “Ole Miss”, where he earned his Law Degree. 

Brent retired from Keesler Air Force Base in 2010, after 39 years of service for the 81st Training Wing Legal Office. After serving in the Army from 1966-1969, Brent began working at Keesler in 1971. He was an attorney and advisor, serving as the base contracts attorney and legal reviewer for command actions. In 1990, he was named Air Education and Training Command's Outstanding Civilian Attorney. Brent earned 35 Awards for outstanding superior performance. As a special assistant U.S. attorney, he prosecuted civilian misdemeanor cases in U.S. Magistrate Court in the federal courthouse in downtown Gulfport and acted as the command liaison with the Department of Justice for prosecution of felonies committed by civilians within Keesler's exclusive federal jurisdiction. Brent handled more than 200 medical malpractice claims totaling nearly $2 billion and recovered nearly $2 million of government furnished medical costs in more than 6,000 cases. 

The family thanks Dr. Allison Wall and her staff for their professional and kind treatment of Brent, and our family and friends for their prayers and support during his two year battle with colon cancer. Staying true to Brent’s kind-natured temperament, he handled his cancer journey in good spirits with remarkable positivity, strength, and optimism. 

Brent was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Marie Richardson, his brother Kenneth Warner Richardson, Sr., and his parents, Twyman "T.W." Warner Richardson and Nell Hull Richardson. 

He is survived by his niece, Cynthia Richardson Yarnell and husband, Bobby, his nephew, Kenneth Warner Richardson, Jr. and wife, Maggie, his stepson, James Ronald Dobbs and wife, Tammy, his granddaughters, Madison, Bailey and Sydney Dobbs, and his sister-in-law, Patricia Skinner Suber. 

A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., and the service will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home on 15th Street in Gulfport, officiated by Pastor Jimmy Stewart. A graveside service with military honors will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Biloxi National Cemetery.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home on 15th Street in Gulfport is honored to serve the family of Brent Allen Richardson.