Richard Warren Conatzer was born August 3, 1929, in Mayes County, Oklahoma, to John Edwin and Florence Etter Conatzer. He died Thursday, December 28, 2017, in Owasso, Oklahoma, at the age of 88 years. Richard completed his education in Pryor, Oklahoma, before entering the military. He served honorably with the United States Army during World War II. He was married August 10, 1949, in Turley, Oklahoma, to Betty June Sallee. They had lived in Tulsa much of their life before moving to Owasso in 1963. He spent most of his working life as a truck driver, many years with Safeway in Tulsa and then with Miles Shipping at the Port of Catoosa. Most important in Richards life was his Christian living and serving his Lord and Savior. Richard was saved at the young age of 14 in Dawson, Oklahoma. He rode his bicycle delivering papers when he was young. The pastor of Dawson, Brother Ray Ford, where he attended church made mention of how the paper boys always walked up barefooted and paid their tithes, usually dimes, placing the money on the Bible. He loved going to church and working for the Lord. After marriage, he and Betty attended Mingo Assembly of God, now Trinity Holiness Assembly of God in Owasso. Richard served as Sunday School Superintendent for over 60 years. He loved working with the youth. He encouraged them to take part in the services on Wednesday night. Having driven a truck since he was 13 years old, many of the young people went with him on his truck routes. He was always helping some of the men who had fallen on hard times by letting them work for him. He never left in a vehicle without praying before he left, no matter what he was driving. Richard always went early to church. You could find him in the prayer room before every service. If you ever visited his house, you could hear him praying before going to bed. All the children knew he was praying for them and he would call each one by name.
Those he leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include: He wife of over 68 years; Betty June, of the home
Two sons; Tommy Conatzer and wife Cheryl, of Owasso, and John Conatzer of Phoenix, Arizona
Two daughters; Rosetta Tackett, of Owasso
Loretta Tackett and husband Wade of Hulbert, Oklahoma
Seven grandchildren
17 great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by one grandson, Jeffrey Dewayne Tackett.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at the Trinity Holiness Assembly of God in Owasso. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at the Trinity Holiness Assembly of God in Owasso with Pastor James Brown, Pastor Bill Finley, and Pastor R.D. Tackett serving as officiants. Serving as casket bearers will be Billy Conatzer, Brent Conatzer, Steven Tackett, R.D. Tackett, Steven Hair, and Nathan Kapica. Committal service and interment will follow at Graceland Memorial Park Cemetery in Owasso. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com
