Mike passed away at his home with his loving wife of 56 years, his daughter, and his son at his side on April 26, 2025, at the age of 80.

Born to Harry and Gladys Richards on Feb. 12, 1945, at their home in Sweet Home, Ore. Mike was one of twelve siblings, eight brothers and four sisters. Mike married the love of his life Sandra on March 8, 1969.

Mike spent his childhood days growing up in Wasco, Ore.; Sacramento, Calif.; Covina, Calif., and then moving back to Wasco, where he attended Sherman County High School.

In his freshman year of high school, Mike left his home in Wasco for new adventures and work in Southern California with his cousin Ronnie Richards. He spent several years working with and grooming the horses in the reining quarter horse industry where he learned quite a bit, which gave him the opportunity to branch out on his own years later. He later went to work for Automotive Engineering as a driver in Oakland and San Francisco, Calif. He worked with his three older brothers, Jim, Bud, and Gordon.

He spent a lot of time at his brother, Jim and wife, Patty’s home in San Lorenzo, Calif., this is where he met his bride Sandy, as she happened to live next door with her mother, father and two sisters (Dave, Fredna, Susan, and Sharon).

Mike and Sandy married and moved to Novato, Calif., and welcomed their daughter Michelle in 1971. Still working for Automotive Engineering, they were eventually able to buy their first home with some property in Cotati, Calif., where they had their son Matthew in 1975. Here they built a loving home amongst eucalyptus trees and Appaloosa horses. There Mike continued to work as a driver in the bay area, but also started his own boarding and training stables, where he rode and showed horses all over the state.

In the late 1970’s, Mike found himself more interested in ranching and moved to Santa Rosa, Calif., with his wife and two children to raise over the next several years, sheep, cattle, and hogs. His love for livestock was strong and he continued to do this until 1988, when the family moved to Culver, to raise beef cattle in the high desert.

In 1994 Mike and Sandy moved to Burns, where they continued to raise beef cattle. Once their first grandson Jacob was born, they decided to move closer to town and retire from ranching to allow themselves more time with their growing family.

Mike had some adventurous times growing up, from catching all kinds of critters, to playing and falling asleep in the wheat fields of Wasco, the drainage ditches along the Sacramento River, stomping in the dredge mud with his siblings, burning down a barn playing with matches and hopping the train in Wasco and riding it with his best friend to Moro, Ore., and then back home.

Mike is survived by wife, Sandy Richards of Burns; daughter and son in law, Michelle and Shaun Steinbeck of Hines; son, Matt Richards of Brothers, Ore.; grandchildren, Jacob, Mitchel and Nathan Steinbeck of Hines, Max Richards of Redmond, and Jeff and Gwen Richards of Bend; his sisters, Beverly Feltner of Berea, Ky., and Sharon Richards of Redding, Calif.; his brothers, Bud and Ann Richards of Sparks, Nev., Gordon and Barbara Richards of Terrell, N.C., John Richards of Redding, Calif., and Tom Richards of Palo Cedro, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Gladys Richards; sisters, Carole Keckler and Marlene Bates; brothers, Donnie Richards, Frankie Richards, Jim Richards, and Marvin Richards; along with beloved sister- and brother-in-laws.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Harney County Home Health and Hospice; Harney County CAN Cancer or other organization of choice in Mike’s name.

In honor of Mike’s request, there will not be a service. Mike and Sandy have their special requests that will be honored later.

Though the world feels a little less bright without him, we find comfort in knowing that his legacy will live on in the memories and stories we share. Rest in peace, Dad. You will be forever loved and deeply missed.