Richard G. Autry

Richard Gene Autry was born June 29, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri to Rita (Downing) Autry and Rayburn Vern Autry. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Gary Autry and his beloved dogs, Marci, and Sophie. He is survived by his wife Carol Autry, his two daughters, Kelly Ries (Kent Von Burg) and Lisa Autry (Jeff Eller), his grandchildren Aly (Reed), Robby (Eryn), Jake, Gabrielle (Dirk), Ryan and great grandchildren Theo, and Reece. His stepchildren, Carleen Peaper (Paul), Steven Dabrowski (Alma), and Lori Dabrowski, his step grandchildren, Paul Jr. (Kelsey), and Lucia, and his step great grandchild, Ava.

He graduated high school in 1956 from Beaumont High School in St. Louis Missouri. He received a full ride college scholarship to attend Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri for basketball. He excelled at college and earned a degree in Economics and later an MBA. He served four years as First Lieutenant in the Army. He worked for McDonnell Douglass Aircraft before landing a job at RCA as a systems analyst. He was actively involved in several sports: basketball, golf, fishing, baseball, racquetball, and tennis well into his 70's. He loved playing board games and cards. In later years he enjoyed Friday night poker with friends. He was enthralled with anything that challenged his mind: crossword puzzles, sudoku, cryptoquip, and jeopardy. He was always eager to match our wits with a riddle, math problem, or magic trick. He was the best storyteller, with his mischievous grin and captivating cadence that left us eager to hear more. He loved people. He talked sincerely to strangers, wait staff, grocery clerks and made each feel special and noticed. He loved and appreciated animals and nature. He felt blessed and loved.

In lieu of flowers donations are welcome in honor of Richard Autry to one of the many charitable organizations he supported: Special Olympics Indiana, The Humane Society, Veterans of Foreign Affairs, National Wildlife Federation, or Arbor Day Foundation.

The Celebration of Life will be held at Indiana Funeral Care, 8151 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250, on Friday December 1st, 2023. We will gather for a service of remembrances from 10:30am-11:30am and share in a celebration from 11:30am-1:30pm. Immediately following there will be a Military Memorial at Crown Hill National Cemetery.