Frank Paul Richardson, passed away December 18, 2024, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. He was 83 years old.
Born on December 10, 1941, in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Frank was the son of Frank and Pauline Richardson. He grew up in Wynnewood and graduated from Wynnewood Public Schools in 1959. At a young age Frank asked the Lord into his heart. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. Despite not spending as much time on the pews as an adult, his faith never wavered. He said that he talked to God often in the shade of a tall tree, usually with a fishing pole in his hand. He often belted out church hymns as if he were still in the choir. He would enthusiastically sing “I’ll Fly Away” and “Summertime,” his version; “One of these mornings I’m gonna rise up singing, I’m gonna spread my wings and take to the sky.”
After graduation, Frank realized that hauling hay for half a cent a bale wasn’t his calling, so he joined the U.S. Navy, first serving on the USS Renville AAP-227 and later the USS Alamo LSD-33. He received a commendation for “Outstanding” performance, he received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (VIET-NAM) and an honorable discharge. His time in the military left a lasting impact on him and he talked about it often. He returned to Garvin County where he lived the remainder of his life.
Frank was a hard worker who took great pride in his work, no matter the job. He became skilled in welding, making it his profession for many years. If you were riding in a car with him you would be sure to hear him proudly point out every fence or corral he built, every tower he repaired, every oil rig he spent hours in the below freezing temperatures working on and heating his toes up with his cutting torch. Later, he found joy in his work as a dispatcher for the Stratford Police Department. He then had the opportunity to work with his special friend, Richey Reed, as a relief driver at Bad Boys Motorsports. On the job, Frank always gave his best, striving for excellence and offering advice to coworkers on the best way to accomplish a task. His coworkers enjoyed working with him and most of them considered him a part of their own family. The Rennies and Reeds had a special place in his heart.
You never found him without his pocket knife, a gun or a fishing pole. Every conversation would include one of those items. One of Frank’s greatest passions was fishing. He loved the entire process, from tying the perfect knot, choosing the right lure, fly or bait, and casting in just the right spot, to catching his favorite trout, bass or crappie. He also enjoyed preparing the fish for his mother to fry them just right, a tradition that brought him much joy. He loved fly fishing with his dad in Colorado and enjoyed listening to all his refinery stories. He enjoyed teaching his own children and grandchildren how to fish and always had a couple fishing poles and tackle box in his vehicle just in case he passed a farm pond calling his name.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Pauline Richardson, his special friend, Jeannie Howard, and his great grandson, Colson Powell. He leaves behind his son, Kenneth Richardson of Maysville; his daughter, Shannon George and her husband, Doug, of Pauls Valley; his son, James (Bo, Smiley) Richardson and his wife, Liz, of Stratford; his grandchildren, Taylor Powell, Tara Richardson, Skylar Joslin, Lane Richardson and Zoey George; his great-grandchildren, Ivey Lynn and Noah; his sister, Paula Harbert and her husband, Terry, of Topeka, Kansas; his nephew, David Harbert and wife Jamie of Topeka, Kansas, and his family; and a host of nieces and nephews from his previous marriage.
At Frank’s request, a private family memorial will take place someday when the warmth of spring settles in the Arbuckle Mountains, a place he loved. Additionally, Frank’s final wish is that those who knew him, take a moment this summer to plant a sunflower, pick a sunflower or simply stop and gaze at one in remembrance of him.
He will be greatly missed.
