BRYAN RICHARDS

BRYAN LENN RICHARDS Bryan Lenn Richards, 62, of Wanette, Okla., passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at his home in Wanette after a long illness. Bryan was born ahead of time at City Hospital, Shawnee, Okla. on March 8, 1961, and left this earth ahead of his time. He attended Bethel Grade School for six years and graduated from Wanette High School in 1979. Bryan was married to Doreen Pratt on September 8, 1984; they were married 15 years. Bryan is survived by his father Jerry (Lola) Richards of Wanette; his son, Jerry Dean (Dallas) Richards of Blanchard; daughter, Natalie (Seth) Larman of Choctaw, his brother, David (Carol) Richards of Norman; sister, Tessa Walker; granddaughters, Presley and Parker Richards, Emma and Vivian Larman; nieces Linda Ann (Dax) Heatley of Shawnee and Falyn Richards of Norman; nephew Forrest (Alex) Richards of Claremore, Italie (Bryan) Weatherford and Jackson Walker; four great-nephews, three great-nieces and other greatly loved cousins, family and friends. Bryan is preceded in death by his mother, Catherine Ann (Reeves-Schoemann); grandparents Edward and Julianna (Taylor) Richards and Johnny and Leona (Trammell) Reeves; sister, Felicia Ellis: uncle Terry Richards and aunt Donna Childers. Farming was the passion of his life and following in the footsteps of his dad, he worked the dairy and ranch with his parents and brother until he purchased and operated Richards Oil Co. in Wanette for 20 years. Later, he worked cross country hot-shot delivering and carpentering. He loved sports and was a high school basketball star. Bryan was a coach and mentor for many youngsters in the Wanette Youth program for 25 years and served as president for nine years, often financing participation expenses for kids from his own pocket. He served on the Wanette School Board for 16 years and as president for 10 years and also a member of the Wanette Economic Development Board. Bryan loved children and he always took their side. Every child he met enjoyed his teasing and attention. It was his delight to host family and friends at Lake Eufaula for skiing, fishing and swimming. Every year he looked forward to the fall pheasant hunt in Nebraska and was an accomplished hunter. Bryan loved spending time with his two kids and four grandkids. He will be greatly missed for his dedication to community, sense of humor, loyalty, and compassion for others, and will be held in loving memory forever in our hearts. The funeral service will be held at Wanette School gymnasium, Wanette, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 9 with Cliff Bass, his good friend and minister, officiating. Burial will follow the funeral at Moral Cemetery, 34931 Old Moral Rd. (Tribbey), Wanette, under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. Please join the celebration of Bryan's life through Cooper Funeral Home's Facebook page for livestreaming of the service. To share memories, or to sign the guestbook online, go to www.cooperfuneral.com.