 |
| 2009-08-23 23:56 |
| Safe Journey, Sonny Richards (from Perceval Press, Aug 19) |
| Public |
| friends, hope |
|
Goodbye for now Sonny Richards. Pilamaya, He Sapa Hoksila!
Clement "Sonny" Richards
RAPID CITY - Clement "Sonny" Larvie Richards, "He Sapa Hoksila," left this world Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Sonny was born April 23, 1942, in Kadoka, S.D., to Edison and Gertie (Larvie) Richards. He grew up in Rapid City and was raised by his grandparents, Charles and Angeline Larvie. Sonny was the first world champion men's fancy dancer and constantly dominated men's powwow dancing in the 1960s and 1970s. He was well known for doing trick roping dancing. His unique style of dance and dress changed and influenced the way people viewed powwow dancing and can still be seen today. In 1963 Sonny met his wife, Mary Ann Brown, a Navajo from Ganado, Ariz., when she came to Rapid City to enroll in a nursing program. They married Jan. 25, 1964, and from this union they had five children: Vivian (Mike Quick Bear) of Rapid City, Chuck (Bridgit) of Fort Belvoir, Va., Clement Jr. (Gerri) of Box Elder, and Rosalyn Minor (Lance) of Box Elder. Sonny also has an adopted son, Jason James of Edmonton, Canada. In 1963, Sonny met the famous Lakota Iyeska Frank Fools Crow, who took Sonny as his apprentice and taught him how to help people of all walks of life. Since 1975 to the moment he passed, Sonny walked the best he could in balance and humility. He extended his hand, his soul, his sense of humor and his home to help others unconditionally regardless of their race, creed or social status. Sonny loved the Lakota way of life and served as an ambassador for Lakota spiritual ways, especially helping young people stay sober and achieve in this way of life. He worked passionately to preserve the Lakota language and rituals. He was elected to serve as a Bear Butte board member after the fire in 1995. In 1969 Sonny became the first Native American officer in the Rapid City Police Department. Working in community relations, he was minority people's liaison with the justice system. He worked with the police department until 1980 when he took an early retirement due to health problems. In the 1980s he was employed as the Title VII Bilingual Education Program home liaison officer with the Rapid City Area Schools. He served as a cultural adviser and linguist. During this time he also was an adviser to the Wicokini Dance Troupe. In the early 1990s, Sonny met screenwriter John Fusco and they became good friends. He assisted John in making three major films by serving as the Lakota cultural adviser for Thunder Heart, Dream Keeper and Hidalgo. Sonny is also survived by three siblings: Gerald (PZ) Larvie, Shirley Larvie and Lester Larvie, all of Rapid City. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Angeline Larvie; his father and mother, Edison and Gertie (Larvie) Richards, and his wife, Mary Ann (Brown) Richards. He will be deeply missed by his 16 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family members from around the U.S., Canada and Europe. Sonny was loved and respected by many; his legacy and example will be carried on in the hearts of those who knew him best. Sonny's family appreciates all the support and prayers that have been offered during this time of change. (from Rapid City Journal)
http://www.percevalpress.com/
Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link
