Ernest "Big E" Richards was born on November 24, 1942, in Deadwood, SD a son of Elmer (Leslie) and Pauline (Carson) Richards.  He attended school in Lead where he graduated from high school.  As a young person Ernest set bowling pins at The Homestake bowling alley in Lead.

After graduating high school, Ernest went to work at the Homestake Mine.  Ernest would enlist in the United States Navy, where he proudly served his Country during the Vietnam War. Following his Honorable discharge, he returned to the Black Hills of South Dakota taking a job with the railroad, after leaving there he became a police officer with the Rapid City Police Department.  It was during his time there he met Sandra Butcher of Lead, leaving the police force then hired on at the Homestake Mining Company, Ernest and Sandra were married on August 18, 1968 in Lead.  The young couple lived in Lead and eventually to the Englewood community south of Lead where they would build a home and raise their family. Ernest continued his employment with the Homestake Mine, working as a Miner until his retirement of 30 plus years of service.  It was at Homestake where Ernest would earn the name, "Big E", a name he would carry from there on!

Over the years, Ernest and Sandra operated the Lead Country Club; Tomahawk Country Club, as well as owning and operating Big E's Sub Shop in Deadwood and The Sugar Shack south on Highway 385, where he was the "Head of PR"!

Ernest served on the Board of Directors for the Lead Miner's Federal Credit Union, Representative for the United Steel Workers Union in Lead and was a member of the Snowmobile Club, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Deadwood VFW Post and many other organizations. In his spare-time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, golfing and camping. Ernest's greatest love in life was spending time with his family.

Ernest and Sandra became snowbirds for the past three years enjoying their winters in the Mesa, AZ. It was on their return trip to their home in Deadwood on Friday, April 12, 2019, when Ernest age 76, passed away unexpectedly in Las Vegas, NM.

Ernest is survived by his wife, Sandra, Deadwood, SD; his children, Tammy Fisher (Dan Pinske), Arvada, CO, Ernest L. (Heidi) Richards, Mesa, AZ, Douglas E. (Tera) Richards, Lead, SD, and Chad E. (Kay) Richards, Spearfish, SD; his grandchildren, Samantha Fisher, Arvada CO., Natalee (Derick) Fernen Aurora CO., Dawson Richards Spearfish SD., Alexis Richards Lead SD., James (Amanda) Fisher Rapid City SD and Jeffery Fisher Deadwood SD; Nine great-grandchildren and four brothers, Leslie (Karen) Richards, Port Hadlock, WA, Thomas (Brenda) Richards, Glendora, CA, Charles (Eileen) Richards, Lead, SD and Jerome (Shirley) Richards, Aurora, MO and numerous nieces, nephews and Family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer (Leslie) and Pauline Richards.

The family will greet friends for a time of remembrance and sharing 5pm to 7pm on Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Christian Life Center in Lead.

A memorial service will be held at 10am on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel with interment to follow with full Military Honors at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD with a luncheon to follow at the Deadwood VFW.

Arrangements are under the care of the Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com