J. Randolph Richards; Rose Parade Official

J. Randolph Richards, Pasadena civic leader who first beamed the Tournament of Roses Parade around the world on live television via satellite, has died. He was 85.

Richards, who owned the venerable Pasadena Athletic Club for 56 years, died Sunday at Huntington Memorial Hospital of complications following heart surgery.

As president of the Tournament of Roses Assn. in 1965, Richards spent two months girdling the globe to make arrangements with 21 countries to telecast the fabled New Year’s Day parade. The transmission was carried through the Early Bird Satellite system.

During his goodwill tour, Richards persuaded various countries to send their representative flowers, bands and floats to enhance the 1966 parade with the theme “It’s a Small World.”

Richards also served Pasadena as president of its Chamber of Commerce, Junior Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, and headed the San Gabriel Valley Council of Boy Scouts.

Born in the Imperial Valley, Richards earned a business administration degree at USC. He bought the Pasadena Athletic Club in 1940 and later founded Automation Industries, an electronics manufacturer.

He is survived by his wife, Marge, son, John, and daughter, Celia Liebisich.

Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at San Marino Community Church.

The family has asked that any memorial donations be made to the Lake Arrowhead Community Church, the Pasadena Rotary Foundation, the San Gabriel Valley Boy Scout Council or the Tournament of Roses Foundation.