Paul Leon Richey
Oct 4, 1931 - Feb 21, 2015
Posted by: Ann Weber
 

Eisenhour Funeral Home
Blanchard, McClain Co, OK
(permission granted)

Paul Leon Richey, 83, of Blanchard, died in his home on Saturday, February 21, 2015 surrounded by his friends and family. The oldest of five children, he was born in Blanchard, Oklahoma on October 4, 1931 to Doyle B. Richey and Lois Marie (Gilpatrick) Richey.

Paul was a decorated Korean War Veteran and served in the 45th Infantry Division. His army buddies, Tommy Bowling and Bill Basden, were an important part of his life and they remained lifelong friends. Upon returning from the war, Paul worked a few years in the oilfield in Oklahoma.

Paul married Jo Ann Daniels on May 29, 1957. They lived in California for a few months before returning to Blanchard to make their home. While in California, Paul worked for the Owens-Illinois Glass Plant in Oakland. When he returned to Oklahoma he opened his own business with Bill Moon, a Phillips 66 Gas Station. Later Paul and Gene Daniels, his father-in-law, opened a Mobil Gas Station in Blanchard. He worked for Bill Penn Spraying of Blanchard during the spray season for 6 years. During this time Paul was also a Blanchard Volunteer Fireman for 20 years. He was dedicated at serving the Blanchard Community and he enjoyed the comradery of fellow firefighters. Paul once served as a City Councilman and as Mayor in Blanchard. Paul later drove a truck, hauling explosives, for Tri-State. Then he drove for Unit Parts, where he worked his way up to become the Fleet Manager. Paul also worked for Ted Pickard at Blanchard Building Center and then he joined Jo Ann in the Richey Insurance Agency and Tag Agency. They retired from the Tag Agency in 2009 but they have remained in the Insurance Agency to today.

Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and working outdoors. He always had a smile, a wink, and a story for family and friends. He enjoyed a good laugh. Many will always remember him calling them either Pete or Pearl when they were children. Family and friends were a very important part of Paul’s life and he always enjoyed attending the Richey and Creswell Family Reunions. He will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Braunita Sittingdown and Glenda Lynch, and two brothers, Rhul Gene Richey and Braunell Richey.

Paul is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jo Ann Richey of Blanchard; two children with his first wife, Alice L. (Tyree) Cody of Elmore City: a son, Rickey Paul Richey and wife Sharon of Ft. Worth, Texas, and a daughter, Sharon (Richey) Annesley and husband Danny of Blanchard; two grandchildren, Clinton Paul Roberts of Blanchard and Marla Jo Dotzel and husband Justin of Charlotte, North Carolina; two aunts, Bertie Wright of Ft. Worth, Texas and Georgia Montgomery of Chickasha, Oklahoma; many nieces and nephews, cousins, and numerous other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Blanchard. Burial with military honors will follow in the Blanchard Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh.com.

Thank You For Your Service!