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Richard Small Obituary
Richard Payne Small, former owner and CEO of TriStar Aerospace, passed peacefully in his home on November 15, 2022.
Richard was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 17, 1929, to Clarence and Matilda Payne Small. He graduated in 1946 from Thornton HS in Harvey, Illinois and graduated from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa in 1950.
At Cornell he was on the famous wrestling team that won both the NCAA and AAU championships in 1947. His interest in wrestling continued throughout his lifetime. He was a Governors Associate at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and awarded the "Order of Merit" and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008. His love for Cornell continued until his death.
He began his business career with one gas station in Olympia Fields, IL and under his leadership the firm grew to over 200 stations in 18 states under the name of Cheker Oil.
After selling Cheker in 1983, he purchased TriStar Aerospace in Deerfield Beach, FL. and in 1992 moved part of that business to Tulsa.
Richard was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation.
He is survived by his wife, Norma, and daughter Marcia (Don), sons Steve (Laura), Jeff (Susan), and Mike (Jane), seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Michael.
The family plans a private inurnment at Boston Avenue UMC at a later date.
Contributions can be made in his memory to Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa or the Salvation Army (Tulsa).
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Small
2 Entries
Kristen T. Oertel
November 21, 2022
I remember meeting Mr. Small and his wife, Norma, at a gala at Cornell College in 1987 (?) that honored the opening of a new indoor track and athletic facility that they endowed. I ran on that track as a student-athlete and went on to graduate from Cornell and then get a Ph.D. in history. Now I am chair of the history department at the University of Tulsa, and I have their generosity to thank, in part, for my academic success. My deepest condolences to the entire Small family.
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Richard Connelly
November 21, 2022
My condolences to the Small family. I grew up in Olympia Fields and often bought gas at his station. My parents knew him as they had a small coffee shop near the 211th IC Station where he was a customer. When I was a young CPA I had the honor of auditing his business. He was a truly nice man.
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