On Thursday, October 17th, 2019, Richard Warren Ward, of Claremore, OK, passed away and went home to be with Our Lord, at the age of 71. Richard was born on September 4th, 1948 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Henry "Homer" Ward and Wilma Matilda Blackard Ward. He was the youngest of three children. He was raised Methodist. He grew up in the small towns' of Eudora and Stephens, AR. His mother, Wilma, was a school teacher and his father, Homer, was the Superintendent of schools. They moved to Sallisaw, OK, his Senior year of high school, where he graduated. He worked for the State Highway Department, in the summer between his Senior year of high school and first year of college. He went on to work for McKesson & Robbins, F. W. Woolworth Company, among others. He met and married, Janie Brown, of Okmulgee, OK, in Tulsa, OK in 1971. He attended Northeastern State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He and Janie moved to Bentonville, AR, where he worked as an Electronics Buyer, for all Wal-Mart stores, with Sam Walton. He and Janie decided to start a family of their own, and adopted their daughter, Rebecca (Becky) in 1978. In 1980, the family moved to Little Rock, AR, where he worked at Cheyenne/Cimarron Industries, manufacturing home-goods (lamps, mirrors, framed art) for major retailers, which led to manufacturing and traveling overseas. This continued a new business venture, where he helped open eight Factory First stores, selling lighting and fans, across the state of Arkansas. In 1988, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Childers, of Sallisaw, OK. He and Mary went on to open their own, very successful, fan and lighting store, Designer Lighting and Accents. They ran the store until 1998. In 1999, Richard's first grandchild was born, and shortly after, moved back to Oklahoma permanently. In 2002, he married Evelyn Kendall, of Claremore, OK. He moved several times throughout the years, but lived in Claremore, OK until his death.

Richard (Dick or Dickey to some), or, "The King" (when referring to himself), was extremely intelligent and excelled in everything he did, especially math and grammar. He had in impeccable memory. His mom, Wilma, and his dad, Homer, were teachers, so, of course, academics were extremely important. He even had his mom for a teacher one year. Besides learning, he liked playing sports. He played basketball, was a pitcher in baseball, and played football, earning many trophies and lettering in high school. He loved playing golf. He got his first "Hole in One", Halloween Day, 1969 at the Sallisaw Golf Course. He liked playing pool and was pretty good. He enjoyed fine dining and good company. He loved traveling. He traveled to Hong Kong numerous times, for work. We went on many vacations over the years. He went to Germany, and loved driving on The Autobahn. He also liked scaring my Granny, driving on the steep, curvy hills in Colorado. He enjoyed playing cards. He played cards with his family, during the holidays. He loved going to Las Vegas, NV and Tunica, MS to play Blackjack. He loved winning, even more. He bought his little red 1986 911 Turbo Porsche, with money he won in Las Vegas. He then proceeded to break the speeding record, in Arkansas, with a pricey ticket and an angry cop. Richard was extroverted and outgoing. He loved being with people. He would talk to anyone, and could makes friends with everyone. He was charming, witty, and funny. He had a boisterous laugh, that was contagious. He loved telling jokes. He could remember every joke he was told, and even if you had heard it multiple times, it was just as funny as the first time. He was the best story teller. He had a story for anything and everything. He loved music. If you'd say a certain word or phrase, he'd break out in song, pertaining to that topic, right in the middle of what you were saying. He attended many concerts in his life. In his most recent years, he became an avid player of Duplicate Bridge, and was a member of, "The American Contract Bridge League". He became a Life Master in 2013, and moved on to become a Bronze Life Master in 2015. He loved fishing. That was something he was able to do, in his final days.

"Richard was a character." That's what is heard that the most, from anyone who met or knew him. Sometimes it was good, sometimes it was bad. He could be stubborn, selfish, and compulsive. He didn't care what anyone thought of him. He had many faults, (part of being human,) that he would attest to, himself, but he also had one of the biggest hearts of anyone you'd ever know. He was sensitive, sentimental, generous, and loving. He was strong, wise, and thoughtful. He had a close relationship with both of his parents, his brother, and his sister. He had an insurmountable bond with his daughter, Becky. He adored his granddaughter Kendall, and appreciated and respected his son-in-law for taking such good care of him and his girls. He loved his girlfriend, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Although, he wasn't the best at keeping in touch.

As, one of his friend's said, "No one played harder, or worked harder, than Richard". I can't agree more.
He was an amazing person, father, granddad, brother, son, and friend and he will be forever missed, by all those who knew and loved him.

When it came to life, he did it his way.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Henry "Homer" and Wilma Matilda Blackard Ward; his sister, Doris Lea Alden DeClue; Aunts and Uncles; and cousin, Dale Ward.
He is survived by his daughter, Becky (Shannon) Reed; his granddaughter Kendall Reed; brother, Homer Bud "Buddy" Ward; cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.