Mr. Richard Cortez Carmical, Sr., age eighty, of Harlan, Kentucky, passed away in the evening hours of Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Claiborne Medical Center in Tazewell, Tennessee.

'Big Rich', as he was referred to by friends and family, was born on August 3, 1945, to Robert and Cora (Donahue) Carmical in Kitts, Kentucky. He had fourteen beloved siblings: four sisters: Joan, Barb, Debbie, and Lois; and ten brothers: Jimmy, Don, Jack, Ross, Fred, Gary, Barry, Bobby, John D, and David.

Big Rich spent most of his eighty years living in Harlan County. He grew up in the Coldiron area, graduated from Wallins High School in 1964, and the following year married his sweetheart, Dorothy Fox. Big Rich and Big D, the name Richard lovingly called Dorothy, were blessed with forty-seven years together and three children whom they adored: Richie, Vince, and Tammy.

Richard and Dorothy moved to Chicago, Illinois and for seven years, he worked at the Agar Meat Packing Company. Harlan County beckoned and Big Rich answered the call, returning with wife and two sons. Once home, he began working as a miner and worked with several local coal companies until he retired, over thirty-five years later. With extra time on his hands, Richard spent many hours fishing, which was his favorite pastime, and working in his garden. He devoted a great amount of time tending his large garden then giving the majority of the produce away.

Big Rich may have had a rough exterior, but he had a heart of gold. He had a great sense of humor and a quick wit. He had no filter and spoke what he thought, which often brought much laughter and some shock to his listeners. If he gave you a nickname, you knew you had been accepted into his inner circle. He had an untapped amount of energy and always needed to find something to do wherever he was.  He was a favorite, frequent customer at the Huddle House. He was a Mason and a longtime member of the Coldiron Church of God Mountain Assembly, where he relished his friendships and worshipped his God.

Richard is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents, Robert and Cora; and six siblings: Debbie Brock, Lois Williams, Barry Carmical, Bobby Carmical, John D. Carmical, and David Carmical.

Those left to cherish Big Rich's memories include his three children: Richard 'Richie' Carmical, Jr. and wife, Patty, of Rio Vista; Vincent Carmical and wife, Jennifer, of Bronston, KY; and Tammy Reynolds and husband, Craig, of Worth, IL; four grandchildren: Chase Vincent Alexander Carmical, Jacob Reynolds, Megan Cavins, Skylar Stewart; two sisters: Joan Shultz and Barb Saylor; six brothers: Jimmy and Faye Carmical, Don and Lana Carmical, Jack and Nona Carmical, Ross and Brenda Carmical, Fred Carmical, and Gary Carmical; a large host of nieces and nephews; special nephew, Paul Michael Stewart; special friends, Hubert Saylor, Elmer Thomas and Bill Witt; a host of extended family members as well as many dear friends.

Visitation for Richard will be held Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the Harlan Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00pm and also on Thursday, October 30, from 11:00am-1:00pm at the Coldiron Church of God Mountain Assembly. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 with Reverend Freeman Clark officiating. Big Rich will be laid to rest beside his beloved Dorothy at Resthaven Cemetery, Keith, KY. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Harlan Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Richard Carmical, Sr.