Bryce Richards, long time resident of Miles City, passed away December 26th at his home. He was 89.
Bryce was born June 17th, 1929 in McIntosh, SD to Charles and Dorothy Richards. He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Phyllis and Lila June, his brother Myron “Red”, and his parents.
Bryce’s family moved to Miles City in 1941, when he was 12. He received his first driver’s license at the age of 13 as a birthday present from his father. He loved driving ever since. He attended Miles City schools graduating in 1947 from CCHS. He and Elaine Strand married on July 16, 1950.
The start of a long career, Bryce began his first job in construction thanks to his father. Bryce remembered… “I was all set to have a nice summer and my dad came home and said ‘I got you a job. You start tomorrow morning and here’s your hammer’.” Bryce had started a career that would last the next 70 years and would shape the landscape of Miles City homes and businesses that were built from the ground up. K and R Construction company was formed by Bryce and his partner, Don Kransky, who preceded him in death. Their meticulous quality and scrupulous work ethic resulted in a lasting legacy of quality homes all over Miles City. Bryce said, after a wind storm ripped away 2 buildings (not his), he said “They were just stapled together with those air guns.”
Bryce is survived by his wife, Elaine, and their 7 children; Brenda, Chuck (Denise), Janelle (Steve), Marlys (Bob), Ron (Sandy), Rand (Yvonne), Gary (Tammy); 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Also missing Bryce is his “Norwegian Forest Rescue Cat”, Kiki.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 pm. Funeral services will be Friday, Jan 4th at 2:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 3, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday January 4, 2019
First Baptist Chruch
900 Palmer Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 3, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday January 4, 2019
First Baptist Chruch
900 Palmer Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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martha crandall says
My sympathy.
Susan Sanderson says
Elaine & Family,
I am so sorry to see that Bryce has passed away. He was one of my favorite people. I will miss his professional
and kind manner.
My prayers and many thoughts are will you all at this sad time. I will miss Bryce forever.
Paul and Jackie Lewis says
Elaine and Family
You and Bryce have been like family for us. Every month for thirty- five years you supported us as
missionaries in Brasil. Your home has been our home while visiting in Miles City. Of all my friends
and classmates you and Bryce are the most remembered. Your love, prayers, and fellowship are
very dear to our hearts. May God bless and provide for you all. Our love and prayers are with you.
Mike Wallick says
He’ll always be Mr. Richards to me. I loved the cool pickup truck with the K&R Construction lettered on the side. What a thrill it was exploring the many houses my friend Ron invited me into as a kid in MC. Wonderful father, family man, inspiration to many of us. Now at the age of 59 I stopped by this past summer and received the same welcome I did as a child.
All my best to all the Richards during this sad time. I’ll miss knowing that he is still in Miles City and there was always a chance I’d run into him having coffee at a local restaurant.
Great man, and a great family.
June Opp says
Elaine and all of the family,We were so sorry to hear of Bryce’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all that our heavenly father will comfort you all during this difficult time and the days ahead. He was a very special man and will be missed by many.
Love Ruben and June Opp
Anna Brandt says
Am so sad to hear of Bryce’s passing. Elaine, Brenda and family, know you are in my prayers during this difficult time. I really liked Bryce.
Arlene and JDennis Corbin says
Bryce was one of my dearest friends. A kind and loving person. I will miss him forever
Jim Peterson says
Elaine and Family–I am so sorry to hear of Bryce’s passing. One of my best memories is of the many family get-togethers we had either at my parent’s house or your place in Miles City–it was always a joyous occasion with kids running everywhere and the sound of Bryce’s distinctive voice at the grown-ups table, telling stories and reminiscing about relatives and family events. You both were so supportive when my dad passed away in Miles City providing me with meals and a place to stay–I’ll always have the warmest memories of your kindness.
We wish all of you strength, courage and peace in the days to come.
All our love, Jim and Sally
Ann-Marie Lissmats says
Elaine and your loving family. We were so sad to hear the news Bryce passed away. Our thoughts are with you. Bryce was a special person for me, loved his humor with a twingle in his eyes. We miss him but we all thankful we were able get to know him.
Ann-Marie Lissmats says
Out thoughts are with you!
From your Swedish family .
Ann-Marie, Birgit with families!
Janet Buraas Klein says
Elaine and family…I am so very sorry to hear of Bryce’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this most difficult time. Let God take your hands and guide you through, and let the memories sustain you during the many hard days ahead. Janet Buraas Klein
Robert Settle says
Dear Elaine, Brenda and Family, So sorry to hear of Bryce’s passing. Know that our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. May GOD’S blessings and comfort be over ya’ll. Love Bob and Retha Settle
Karen Strand Winslow says
Dear Aunt Elaine, all my cousins, their kids and grandkids, and yes Uncle Bryce.
We need to be with you at this time. We know how much it means to have family to see and hug and weep with. We have been trying to work it out and hoping it will; if not now, later on. We have to mourn together because all of us understand the loss and hurt and will find things to laugh about. You are such a great family. We know Bryce is beholding the face of his father in heaven and the rest of his loved ones there and is alive to God. Maybe even he can realize what we are saying to honor him, so, Uncle Bryce, I remember so many things you did and said. So many! Thank you for being such a good friend to my parents, a great uncle to me, the dad that seven people will treasure forever, and loving husband to our Aunt Elaine. Thank you for always welcoming us and wanting us to stay with you. I will always remember you, your niece, Karen
Tom and Norene Peterson says
Dear Elaine and family,
We have fond memories of visiting you in Miles City. Both Bryce and you always opened your home to us so that we could reminisce about the Peterson family. There were even a couple of times you managed to stop by our Billings home. But we all knew Bryce was not one to sit around for more than coffee when the road was calling. =) Sending you hugs and prayers
Tom and Norene
Rob Shipley says
Did Bryce ever lose his temper? I have lost my temper and my mind ten thousand times. If only I had ever held the balance and worth and value of this life as did Bryce Richards. He will be forever in Heaven…………serving the Lord as quietly and as wonderfully as he did everyone and everything here on the small planet.
Sandy and Pat Anderson says
So terrible sorry with the loss of Bryce. Our thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Harry Fillafer says
Sorry to hear that Bryce has passed away. I have known Bryce and family since our school days in Miles City. I moved away from Miles City in 1949 but we enjoyed our many visits with Bryce and Elaine whenever we were in Miles City and also with Bryce’s mother till she passed away. Bryce and me emailed each other for many years..Bryce was a true friend. Our thoughts are with you Elaine and family. Harry & Phyllis
Dale Valach says
Elaine, Marlys and Family
It was such a sad surprise to see that Bryce had passed. I can understand that these recent days have been difficult for all of you. That he is with The Lord now must be comforting.
While he had every right to be proud of his family, he also had every right to be proud of how he changed Miles City for the better through the houses he built. I was fortunate enough to see several of them. As if often said, “they don’t build them like that anymore”. Bryce will be missed.
Joan Monaghan says
I am sorry to hear about Bryce’s passing. The house I lived in was built for his family, and I left Miles City about 19 years ago. I often have remembered Bryce because he was a friend as well as someone I could call on to fix or advise me about something at the house. I miss that house because it was a perfect family home. He made Miles City a good place to live. My thoughts and prayers are for the family.
Harry Fillafer says
A couple more memories. Bryce”s dad let me use their 1940 Oldsmobile to take my first drivers license driving test in 1944. Also, the Charles Richards family on a trip through CA went out of their way to visit me when I was in Navy Boot Camp training in San Diego CA in 1946. The whole family was special to me.
Marc and Denise Hartse says
We were saddened to hear of Bryce’s passing. We knew him for many years and the family too. I should have put something here earlier and for that I apologize. Sometimes one just doesn’t know quite what to say in these situations other than “I’m so very sorry.” To all the family we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences and best wishes. R.I.P. Bryce.
David Roll says
Elaine and Brenda–Thank you so much for calling me even if it was to relate the bad news of Bryce’s passing. I always admired Bryce for being so handy with his hands, something which I was not. I’m so glad that I dropped by two years ago after being away for so long. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
Michael Mangen says
So sorry for the loss of Bryce, he was such a nice guy, always enjoyed seeing him in church when we still lived in Miles City. May god consul you all.
Mike and Dorrie Mangen
Joan Roll says
So Sorry to hear about Bryce. I did not know he had passed away until recently.
Joan Roll