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Richard Bank Autry was born April 8, 1938, in Enid, Okla., to Otwa Tilden "O.T" and Esther (Bank) Autry, during a snow storm. Dick, as he was known by all, passed on to eternal life on Friday, May 1, 2015.
Dick attended Enid Public Schools and graduated from Enid High School in 1956.
Dick was confirmed into membership of the First Presbyterian Church and he belonged to Boy Scout Troop No. 6, where he reached the rank of Eagle Scout.
In service to his country, Dick served in the 45th National Guard Reserve.
Dick attended Oklahoma State University, where he graduated in 1960 from the School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration; he was a member of Phi Delta Theta at OSU. Following college, Dick's first job was with Morrison's Cafeteria in Mobile, Ala., and he was responsible for opening Morrison's across the southeast, in Little Rock, Nashville, New Orleans, Shreveport, Birmingham and Jacksonville.
Dick then returned to graduate school in 1962 at Clemson in South Carolina, where he received a master's degree in industrial management.
At the insistence of his mother, Dick returned to Enid in 1964 to purchase Don-Paul Cafeteria, that was located on the north side of W. Randolph. After six years, he bought the burned building on the south-side of Randolph, building in its place Richill's Cafeteria.
Richill's served Enid for 22 years under Dick's leadership. Favorite memories of Richill's include the talking parrot, special parties and events, and the model train that rain around the ceiling of the restaurant. Dick was a member of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association.
On July 17, 1965, Dick was married to Virginia Lee Merritt of Enid, Okla., in the chapel at First United Methodist Church.
Dick and Virginia knew each other from their grade school days, and though one attended OSU and the other OU, they reunited in 1964 and would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this summer. Dick and Virginia have two daughters, Amanda and Candice.
The fall semester of 1992 took Dick back to his alma mater, OSU, as an adjunct professor, where he taught quantity food production and operated Taylor's Dining Room. Above and beyond his teaching duties, Dick spent much of his time mentoring students through the Chef Series and various scholarship programs. Dick retired from the faculty position in 2002.
Dick had many hobbies, including kayaking, hot-air ballooning, art and architecture and sailing. Those who knew him were captivated by his dry wit, wonderful sense of humor and honesty.
Dick had a keen way of making everyone feel that they were the only person in the room, giving them his utmost attention and interest.
Dick was active at First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a volunteer in the after-school tutoring program and in the office, and as a session member.
Dick loved music of all kinds, ranging from Pink Floyd and country, to organ music and singing hymns.
Richard B. Autry was preceded in death by his parents, O.T. and Esther Autry, and is survived by his wife, Virginia of Enid, Okla., and daughters, Amanda Claire of Oklahoma City, and Candice Leigh of Washington, D.C.
Dick also is survived by one sister, Barbara Stroup and her husband Floyd of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and by one brother, Stephen T. Autry and his wife Mary Beth of The Villages, Fla.
A Service of Witness to The Resurrection of Jesus Christ will be held in memory of Dick on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at noon at First Presbyterian Church.
The Rev. Andrew Philip Long will officiate. A private inurnment will take place with family under the direction of Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to First Presbyterian Church, where they will support the after-school tutoring program and music ministry. You may also make a donation to the charity of your choice in memory of Dick.
(Submitted by family)
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