Ian Michael Richardson

Ian Michael Richardson, 34, of Concord, North Carolina passed peacefully into his Savior’s arms surrounded by his adoring family after an absolutely heroic, 5.5 year battle with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Ian was born to Susan and Mike Richardson on November 1, 1991, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He enjoyed a magical childhood playing board games and video games with his parents and little sister, Kristyn, and rampaging the neighborhood with his many friends, including Simms McElfresh, Michael and Joe Veale, and many others. He attended Charlotte Christian School from kindergarten through twelfth grade and double majored in both History and Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

It was at Carolina that Ian met his soulmate, Katie. At just 19 and 21 years old, Katie and Ian fell quickly and madly in love, and they knew without a doubt that God had made them for each other. They married four years later at Central United Methodist Church on July 22, 2017.

Ian and Katie believed strongly in living life to its fullest. As newlyweds, while Katie attended law school and Ian ran statewide political campaigns, they traveled the world and continued to do so even after Ian became ill. They lived in many different places, making every apartment a cozy home, until they bought a historic house in Concord in 2023—complete with a library for Ian.

Ian was a remarkable man in every way. He had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and believed that intellectual curiosity was the best character trait. He collected hundreds of books and possessed a near-photographic mind—able to recall facts and figures about obscure topics at the drop of a hat. The second best character trait was a quick wit, and Ian kept everyone laughing with his razor-sharp humor and descriptive language. Ian also prized physical fitness and always worked hard to maintain—and often rebuild—his strength. Most of all, Ian was a man of deep faith who loved his family more than anything. The happiest moment of Ian’s life was welcoming his son Theodore (Teddy) Jacobs Richardson into the world on Father’s Day, June 15, 2025.

Ian is survived by his beloved wife of 8.5 years, Katie, and seven month old son, Teddy; parents Susan and Mike Richardson of Charlotte; sister Kristyn and brother-in-law Sam of Arden, NC; parents-in-law Jeff and Janet Crook of Concord; brother-in-law Jonathan Crook of Roanoke, VA; sister-in-law Laura Crook of St. Louis, MO; and many treasured aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. The family would like to thank Dr. Ryan Jacobs and the incredible nurses and providers of the Levine Cancer Institute for their tireless care over many years. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society).

Ian’s family will receive visitors at Central United Methodist Church, 30 Union Street North, Concord, NC 28025, from 11:00am to 1:30pm on Saturday, February 14, 2026. Ian’s celebration of life will follow in the sanctuary at 2:00pm, with a graveside service to follow at Oakwood Cemetery.