Kean Richards Obituary

Kean Goodman "Snow" Richards was born May 30th 1948, to Bob Richards and Alice Williams Richards, at their home on the Southern Ute Reservation in Ignacio, Colorado. Surrounded by his family, Kean passed away peacefully at Mercy medical Center on Thursday, July 24th 2025, at 8:40 a.m., at the age of 77 years old.

He was preceded in death by his mother Alice Williams Richards, father Bob Richards, Uncle Harry Richards, half-brother Frank Benicroft, half-sister Essie Kent, his oldest son Robert Richards, foster children Donald and Philip Martinez, and his grandson Johnathan Lee Winlock.

He is survived by his wife Rena Ortiz Richards, six children: Ross Jacket, Laura Richards, Kenneth Richards, Calvin Richards, Frances Richards and Esther Richards, his 15 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and extended family.

Kean Goodman Richards AKA "King Kong" was a proud tribal member of the Southern Ute Tribe. He was also part Ute Mountain Ute and was a direct descendant to Chief Severo. He worked for the Southern Ute Tribe for 30 plus years. Kean fulfilled his civic duty in the community as a former pastor. He was devoted to his family, his culture, the traditions, and was a true believer in Sundance - that he never missed.

On July 30, 1962, Kean married the love of his life Rena. He had many passions from being a drummer for various blues bands, using his green thumb to grow and maintain his lawn, trees, and garden, riding his motorcycles, and the list goes on. But the one passion he loved the most was being a teacher, a father figure to his grandchildren and a strong leader for his family.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 28th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Southern Ute Memorial Chapel in Ignacio, Colorado. Burial will follow at the Southern Ute Ouray Cemetery. All are invited to a reception following the service at the Southern Ute Multi-purpose Facility.