Lincoln County Obituary
Carney Cemetery

© Palmer Marler Funeral Home
Date unknown
Reprinted with permission
Submitted by: Rex Warlick

RICHARD OTIS DODRILL

9 Feb 1935 - 13 Sep 2017

Richard Otis Dodrill passed from this life on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 surrounded by family in Stillwater. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Cushing.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Carney Cemetery.

Richard was born on February 9, 1935 to Richard R. and Opal (Collins) Dodrill in Springfield, MO. Growing up, Richard attended school in Missouri, Oklahoma, and California. After graduating from high school in Courtland, California, Richard joined the United States Navy in 1954. He served honorably during the Korean Conflict as 2nd Class Damage Control. Richard was honorably discharged in February of 1962. He married Norma Jean Stewart on October 30, 1957 and had two children: Debora and Dora. They spent many loving years together before her passing on May 28, 1983. Richard married a second time to Melba Faye Gazaway on May 19, 1984 and spent 33 years before her passing in May of this year.

Richard had a love for knowledge and learning. He attended Fresno City College and majored in Business Management. He also took numerous courses at Vo-Tech in Tulsa, Sapulpa, and Drumright, while working for the city of Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma. Richard worked many jobs throughout his life. He served as a service station manager, honey plant manager, bee keeper, elevator mechanic, Tulsa elevator inspector. He had his own shoe repair and antique shop. He worked as an electrician for over 30 years for the State of Oklahoma in maintenance until he retired. In the evenings, Richard taught classes at Tulsa Jr. College and OSU in Tulsa. At the age of 70, Richard worked for F.E.M.A and the city of Cushing, so he could help others. Most of Richards’s life was spent working two full-time jobs.

Richards was a collector of almost everything. After retiring, Richard opened up a museum in 2000 in Cushing, OK, where he displayed rocks, minerals, fossils, antiques, oilfield equipment, early day Cushing memorabilia, and Indian artifacts.

Richard was born and raised Pentecostal and stayed in church his whole life. He held numerous offices in the church except pastor, over the years. He believed in being the best Christian he could be and loved serving the Lord. Also, he spent many hours teaching Bible study courses.

Richard loved family, the Lord, life, telling others how great Christ is, and looking forward to meeting the Lord in the air.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, wives Norma Jean and Melba, half sisters, DarDeena, Darline, half brother David, sisters Betty and Christine.

He is survived by his daughter Debora Jean Dodrill “Goathead”; brother, Reginald Dodrill; half brothers, Dwellin and Daniel Dodrill; sisters, Rebecca Daffinrud and husband, Ed, and Opal Dodrill; grandchildren, Charles Andrews and wife, Jamie, Miles Plymale, Josh Baker and wife, Jerica, Katy Lollis and husband, Spencer; four great grandchildren, Isaac, Bryson, Brittan, and Brayden.