Leroy Alexander Richardson became a teacher at A.T. Johnson High School after graduating from college. He served as the school's principal from 1942 to 1962.

"There was one school for blacks in Westmoreland County and he was the principal," said a son, Kelvin L. Richardson of Glen Allen.

"It was a very small school and he was instrumental in helping it to grow. They did a lot of drilling to make sure students knew their work. He built the [school's] first sports teams -- baseball and basketball."

Mr. Richardson, who retired in 1977 as principal of Fairfield Junior High School in Henrico County, died of heart problems Thursday in a Henrico hospital, where he had recently undergone intestinal surgery.

The 95-year-old Petersburg native was the youngest and last-surviving child of 12 born to a blacksmith and his wife. His mother died when he was 10 and his father died when Mr. Richardson was 12.

"He went sibling to sibling, living with some of his older married brothers and sisters. He said he was pretty much on his own from age 12," his son said.

The Richmond resident put himself through Virginia State College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education, by doing odd jobs. "He'd go to New York and work during the summer and return to Virginia State for fall semester," his son said.

He left A.T. Johnson to become assistant principal at Virginia Randolph High School in Henrico in 1962 and was there when schools began integrating.

In 1970, Mr. Richardson was named principal at Fairfield Junior High School, the first African-American to hold that post. "He mentioned that it was a challenge," his son said.

A strict disciplinarian, "he demanded high performance from his students. He seemed to be well-liked by his students. He was humble and unassuming. He didn't act the part of the principal. He was very down to earth," his son said.

He had served as a Sunday school teacher and sung in the Men's Chorus at First African Baptist Church at 2700 Hanes Ave., where his service will be held next Saturday at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

"He was a deacon at church. He was always ready to help people, and if he couldn't help, he'd find other church members would could," his son said.

"He was a very encouraging person and would have positive things to say to people. He really had the knack to cheer you up and make you feel good."

In addition to his son, survivors include his wife of more than 50 years, Helen Lundy Richardson; another son, Kenneth W. Richardson; and a daughter, Carolyn Goode, both of Henrico; and six grandchildren.