Richard Mears

1950 - 2025

Richard Dale "Rick" Mears, 74, of Collinsville, Oklahoma, passed away unexpectedly on September 22, 2025, from a massive heart attack. He was born December 23, 1950, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Mother Billy Cedra, who raised him with strength and devotion, and father Edward Mears, who was absent from his life. Growing up without his father shaped Rick in profound ways, instilling in him a resilience and independence that defined the man he became.

Rick grew up in Owasso and proudly graduated with the Owasso High School Class of 1969. He later served his country honorably in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, including time stationed in Okinawa. His military service instilled in him the discipline, steadiness, and sense of duty that would guide him throughout his life.

After returning home, Rick built a long and successful career as a mechanic-a profession that matched his natural gift with his hands and his dedication to doing every job right. He earned respect for his honesty, work ethic, and unwavering reliability.

Rick married Mary Elizabeth Redmond, and together they welcomed his first son, Aaron Richard Mears, in 1980, followed by his second son, Christopher Royce Mears, in 1981. Rick would tell anyone who asked that his two greatest achievements in life were his boys, a truth he lived daily by showing up, keeping his promises, and teaching them through example what integrity looks like. He later married Robbie Ogle, and for the past 27 years shared his life with his devoted partner, Lavern Self, who remained by his side until his passing. Rick is survived by his sons, Aaron and wife Melissa, and Christopher and wife Katie; his beloved granddaughter, Avery Grace Mears-the brightest part of his retirement years; his long-time partner, Lavern Self; and his half-siblings Wesley, Randy, and Janis. He is also remembered by extended family and many friends who will miss his reliability, honesty, and dry humor.

A remarkable and meaningful chapter of Rick's life began in 2020 when he discovered he had paternal half-siblings-Wesley Mears, Randy Mears, and Janis Scully-living in New Orleans. After a lifetime of unanswered questions, meeting them for the first time at Aaron's wedding filled him with joy unlike anything his family had seen. He proudly hosted them at a table of their own, surrounded for the first time by the family he never knew he had. His final trip, shortly before his passing, was to visit them in New Orleans-a journey that brought him great peace and a sense of belonging he had long been missing.

Rick was a humble, honorable, and loyal man-sometimes grumpy, often stubborn, but always dependable. If he said he would be there, he was there. He believed in hard work, keeping your word, and doing right by others-lessons he instilled in his sons and lived out in every chapter of his life.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 3rd, from 1–5 PM at the Collinsville Veterans Community Center. Lunch will be served, and all who knew Rick are invited to come hungry and bring stories to share.

If anyone has photographs of Rick, the family kindly asks that you call or email to share them.

Rick Mears will be remembered for his integrity, his quiet strength, and the deep love he held for his family-especially his boys. He will be deeply missed.