Jerry Richards

Gerald C. (Jerry) Richards passed away December 24, 2020 in Puyallup, WA, of bacterial pneumonia, with his family by his side.

Jerry was born on June 9, 1946 to Clyde and Geraldine Richards in Belle Fourche, SD. Jerry spent his younger years in the Biddle area attending grade school in Ranch Creek and Biddle, Montana. He attended high school in Broadus, MT. Following high school, he served in the U.S. Army, taking basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. From there, he was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, and Germany. He was discharged in 1968.

Jerry married Connie Pierson of Orlando, Florida in Belle Fourche, South Dakota in 1969. They lived in Gillette, Wyoming where Jerry was a patrolman for the city of Gillette. He then became a Deputy Sheriff for Campbell County, Wyoming. They were blessed with their son, Jack, in 1974. Jerry then became Undersheriff serving under D.B. "Spike" Hladky in Campbell County. As Undersheriff he attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

The family moved to Terry, Montana where Jerry continued in law enforcement as Undersheriff. He went on to manage the Farmers Union in Fallon. From there they moved to Wright, Wyoming where he served as Resident Deputy. He worked at the Black Thunder Coal Mine in Wright before moving to Loganville, Georgia where Jerry continued in law enforcement. When Jerry retired from the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office after twenty years, he had acquired the rank of Lieutenant, of which he was very proud. They settled in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for a few years until moving to Belle Fourche, South Dakota where he enjoyed spending time with his siblings.

In 2014, they moved to Edgewood, WA to be closer to their son Jack and his family.

Jerry is survived by his wife Connie of 51 years, son Jack, daughter-in-law Kris and granddaughter Julia Richards, two brothers Ellis (Lois) Richards and Vic (Kathy) Richards of Gillette, Wyoming, five sisters Evelyn Williams, Ella Mae (Allen) Drane and Donna Richards of Broadus, Montana, Sharon (Lester) Clements and Linda (Bill) Macy of Gillette, Wyoming, Bev (Ed) Schaffer of Biddle, Montana and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Geraldine Richards, siblings Georgia Traub, Bill Richards, Tom Richards, Rose Chaney and Thelma Manning.

Celebration of life will be held July 24, 2021 in Ranch Creek, Montana.