Funeral services for 50-year old Damian “Okie” Richards are Sat, Feb 3, 2024 at 11:00 at the Porcupine School Gym in Porcupine, SD, with traditional Lakota services by Emerson Spider Jr.
Burial is at the Native American Church Cemetery in Porcupine
A one-night wake service starts Friday, Feb 2, at 2:00 at the Porcupine School Gym
Online condolences may be left at siouxfuneralhome.com
Damian Blain “Okie” Richards “Cante Tinza Najin” was born on Feb 8, 1973 in Pine Ridge, SD to William and Geneva (Spider) Richards Sr. Damian made his journey to the Spirit World on Jan 26, 2024 at the Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, NE.
Damian loved sports and participated in many. He was a proud Little Wound Mustang and an excellent basketball player who played in many independent tournaments after high school. He was also an awesome volleyball player with a powerful spike.
Damian had a very friendly personality and many friends. There was never a dull moment when he was around because he was always cracking jokes and making people laugh with a smile that could light up the room. He gave nicknames to all his friends and was loved by many.
Dami loved music and he traveled, lived, and worked in many places. He cherished his family – especially his nieces and nephews – and will be greatly missed.
Damian is survived by his son Jerome Richards; daughter Bobbie Richards; grandchildren Mya Renee, Nason Felix, and Jayla Ava; sisters Wanda (Bill), Janice (Duane), Blanch (Tom), Faith, Holly, Connie (Brian), and Norma; brothers Austin, Ronald (Denise) Sr, Mark, Bill Jr, and Travis (Tamara).
Damian was preceded in death by his mother Geneva Richards; father William “Bill” Richards Sr; son Bailey; brother Austin P Richards; hunka brother Curtis White Crane Sr; paternal grandparents Peter Richards and Lillian Nelson; maternal grandparents Oliver and Jessie (Black Bear) Spider; nephew Troy Richards; cousins Melvin Spider Jr, Issac, Edward, and Olivia Lays Bad; aunts Pauline (Spider) Lays Bad, Pearl Whirlwind Horse, Julia Sharp, Florence White Calf, and Grace Richards; uncles Dave and John “Chub” and Jackie Richards, Melvin Spider Sr, and Rev Emerson Spider Sr; and grandchildren Will Coleman, Iiesha, and Samantha.
Pallbearers will be Tom Thunder Hawk, Billy J Rouillard, Preston Tuttle, David J Pourier, Lloyd Bianas Jr, Jesse Lays Bad, Derek Richards, Jesse Ghost Dog, Mark Richards, and William Lone Elk Jr.
Honorary pallbearers will be His Kolas Edward Spider, Brian Lone Elk, Joe Red Nest, Gerald, Skylar, and Jerry Dawn, Maria Plenty Wounds, Lisa Blue Bird, Cheyenne & Family, Ruth Cedar Face & Family, Daneen Afraid of Hawk & Family, Red Nest Family, White Crane Family, Verola, Beaulah, and Vina Spider & Families, Emerson Spider Jr & Family, Agnes Plenty Bull & Family, Roger Sharp & Family, Al Richards & Family, Carmen & John Cedar Face, Lavonne Sharp McCollam & Family, nephews Tyler Lone Elk & Family, Bill Richards, Brandon White Crane, Curtis White Crane Jr & Family, RJ and Braxton Richards, John and Jake Bianas, nieces April (Dustin), Jodi, Lacey & Family, Halona, Christina, Isabelle, Heather, Veronice, and Destiny, Ashley and Kiana, Little Wound High School Class of 1991, Staff & Students, Sitting Bear Family, Fool Bull Family, All Friends & Relatives and others who we may have missed, please forgive us.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD