Richard William Riddle

1944 - 2020

Richard William Riddle

Rick often took the road less traveled. Let me share my husband's story. Rick was an epic husband, brother, father, grandpa and friend who was born in Tulsa in 1944 to William and Gerry Riddle. He grew up in Sand Springs and played baseball and basketball for the Sandites until he graduated and went off to Oklahoma State University where he played baseball his freshman year for the Cowboys. Also, as a stellar tenor who sang and played guitar at church and school, Rick participated in and won four of the five years he entered OSU's Varsity Review. His talent went beyond the Varsity Review wins; we met and he swept me off my feet by serenading me under my window. A whirlwind ensued and we married a year later in September 1966.

Rick graduated in 1968 with an electrical engineering degree followed by our move to Kansas City where Rick worked at Bendix Corp. during the day and attended law school at night earning a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. After graduating from law school we returned to Tulsa where he set up a private practice. Rick believed in giving back to his community in numerous capacities including serving on the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation and establishing the Asbury Foundation, at one time Chairing that group. He cofounded and served on the Board of Directors of the Center for Legislative Excellence. He served 13 years on the Board of Directors of the Tulsa Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce with six years on its Executive Committee. There he served as Chairman of the Chamber's education and Community Betterment Division where he spearheaded bringing OSU and OSU medical school to our city. Rick loved OSU and wrote the original bylaws for the Posse Club. Rick also served on the Professional Council, the Committee of 200, was a member of the Finance Committee, and on the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Tulsa Economic Development Foundation and on the Select Committee for Criminal Justice. For the past ten years he had been a member of the Tulsa Estate Planning Forum where he had many roles including president.

At Asbury he helped in children's Sunday School and was a member of the Faithbuilders class. When he wasn't serving his clients and participating in public service, Rick usually could be found on the golf course with "his gang" at the Oaks.

Rick took enormous pride in our three loving children and their spouses, Mark (Pam), Bryan (Autumn), Stefanie Phariss (Casey) and our eight grandkids, Zachery, Jaden, Mikayla, Asher, and Micah Riddle and Harrison, Greyson and Beckett Phariss. He is survived by his sisters, Sally Tallent and Becky McKinney (Phillip). Our extended family of nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews held a special place in his heart. A long, winding road led Rick to live his life with determination, integrity, compassion and dignity. Rick, facing adversary lived and died with God's assurances and peace. His presence and love will be missed by many. And, Ricky, I'll always love you, Garnell.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude's or Shriners' Children's hospitals.

Due to Covid, Rick's service will be immediate family only. However, Monday you may stream the service November 30, 2020 at 10 A.M. at asburytulsa.org and click on live. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233. Share memories at

www.moorefuneral.com