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TAHLEQUAH – Services for Richard Dean Garner will be held Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. at Green Country Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Tahlequah City Cemetery under the care of Green Country Funeral Home.
Richard Dean Garner, 72, was born Feb. 10, 1942, in Tulsa, to Virgil H and Louise (McGowan) Garner. He was one of eight children. He went to be with the Lord on Jan. 14, 2015, from his home surrounded by his family.
Richard grew up and spent his life in Tahlequah, graduating from Tahlequah High School with the class of 1961. At the age of 18 he met the love of his life, Rita J. Gilliam, as she was running across the rodeo grounds. Shortly after they met he left for the United States Air Force, serving as a helicopter mechanic. When he returned from the service, he married Rita on Sept. 9, 1962, in Stilwell, by Judge E.B. Arnold. With their union came three children, Richard, Steve (Bubba) and Tammy.
Richard was a graduate of OSU. He was a longtime builder/carpenter, always providing for his family. He was one of the first to begin building in Wheeler Addition. He developed the Sycamore Addition and he also built many other homes in the Tahlequah area. In 1977, he taught vocational carpentry at Cave Springs in Stilwell. He then went on to drive a school bus for Tahlequah Public Schools before he decided to return to building homes. Upon retirement he developed R & R Properties, renting to many people throughout the years, some who became great friends.
On Jan. 18, 1980, Richard gave his heart to the Lord and began a lifelong journey serving his Lord. He was a man of great faith and had a one-on-one relationship with his Lord. His greatest joy was going to church foremost, and he loved the moving of the spirit. He was instrumental in the building of Liberty Tabernacle on Stick Ross Mountain and left a legacy with many of his friends who came to know the Lord and always considered them his closest friends. Richard and Rita were members of Faith Chapel Church.
Richard loved the outdoors; hunting, fishing, and camping were some of his greatest pastimes. He enjoyed these times with his sons, nephews, grandkids and great-grandkids. After Rita retired from teaching, they spent much of their time traveling, from cruises to their annual Colorado elk hunt.
His greatest accomplishment in life was instilling the love of the Lord within his family and everyone he met. Always standing on the truth of the Bible and never doubting what the Bible promised.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Virgil J. Garner, Thomas Garner, and Jerry Garner; and one sister, Barbara Moore-Oberle.
He is survived by his wife, Rita Garner of 53 years, of the home; two sons, Richard Garner and wife Allison, and Steve Garner and wife Lanette; one daughter, Tammy Spradlin-Moore and husband Jim all of Tahlequah; his eight grandchildren, Cody Patton and wife Gloria, Ryder Walters and wife Chelsea, Nick Walters and wife Taylor, Samantha Dotson and husband Tory Tabitha Garner and fiance, Chandler Eubanks, April Moore and husband Joe, Brandon Spradlin, and Brent Spradlin; nine great-grandchildren, Jayden and Taylor Moore, Blake and Reese Dotson, Ryland and Maverick Walters, McKenzie Spradlin, and Max and Jack Patton; his three sisters, Mary Whittle of Tahlequah, Sharron and Bill Gibson of Tahlequah, and Linda and Harvey Hudson of Wagoner; and his loved nephews, George, Bobby, Mark, Billy and Rayden; as well as many other friends and loved ones.
The family will meet at the VFW on Park Street in Tahlequah at noon prior to services.
Green Country Funeral Home, 203 S. Commercial Road, 918-458-5055.
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