Richard Eugene King

Richard Eugene King of Warr Acres, Oklahoma, died Thursday, July 27th, 2023, following a short illness. Dick was born at Saint Francis Hospital in Grinnell, IA, October 27th, 1944. He was the third of seven children of Lester and Edna Crider King, and grew up on the family farm south of Brooklyn, IA. He attended country school and in 1963 graduated from BGM High School where he met the love of his life, Lucille Doty. Dick and Lucy married February 6th, 1965, at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Brooklyn. Dick began his career with Wilson's Foods in Cedar Rapids, IA. This position took them to Logansport, IN and eventually to Oklahoma City where he resided for nearly fifty years. He later worked for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, retiring in 2006. Following this, he was fortunate to spend his days managing his son's dental practice, a true blessing to them both. He more recently worked part time at Gillispie and Ogilbee Accounting. Dick was an avid coin and stamp collector, skilled woodworker, dedicated recycler and composter. He enjoyed family time at Lake Tenkiller, gardening, and fishing. He was a word puzzle wizard and a gifted mathematician. He was always the grandkids go-to for help with challenging homework. He selflessly volunteered his time running PCAA Youth Sports Complex for over thirty years. Above all, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and will be greatly missed. Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Lucy; daughters Christine King of Warr Acres; Kathleen Strunk and husband Russell of Yukon; Michelle Salyer and husband Derek of Tulsa; grandchildren Landon Strunk and wife Caroline, Lindsay Strunk, McKenzie, Garrett and Megan Salyer, Caroline and Olivia King and Bennett Meyers. He is also survived by daughter-in-law Stacey Meyers and her husband John. His surviving siblings include sisters Pat Smith of Grinnell, IA, Joyce Barta and husband Richard of Solon, IA; brothers Bill King of Dublin, OH, and Don King and wife Val of Waverly, IA; sister-in-law Myrna King of Pomeroy, IA and brother-in-law William Divine of Minnetonka, MN. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, son David, sister Judy Divine, and brother Bob King. Visitation will be held at Smith & Kernke funeral home (14624 N May Ave.) Thursday, August 3rd 5:30-7:30pm. Funeral service will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (5024 N Grove Ave.) on Friday, August 4th at 10:00am. To honor Dick's environmentally conscious lifestyle, donations may be made to OKC Beautiful in his name. http://www.okcbeautiful.com/donate