AB Richey

AB Richey, affectionately known as Papaw or Papa to his children and grandchildren passed from earthly presence on June 12, 2024 to be reunited in heaven with his daughter Nanette. AB was born April 9,1937 in Norman to loving christian parents Gene and Grace (Swanson) Richey and grew up in Blanchard Oklahoma on the farm, the youngest of 7 brothers and 1 sister.

After AB graduated from University High in Norman he

served in the Army National guard, and worked at Wackers Department store for 15 years. During that time he married the love of his life, Nancy Collins in 1958, they had two beautiful daughters, Vickie and Nanette. After Nanette lost her battle to leukemia, AB had drive and determination to own his own business so he packed up his wife and daughter, moved to Anadarko and opened the first Richey Shoe store 1967 with other locations in Carnegie, Cordell and Lawton following. Always the man with big ideas written on napkins and the passion to own his own businesses, AB went on to open the Big Dipper ice cream store, developed commercial properties. In the meantime, two more children were born to AB & Nancy, Randal and Scott. That didn't slow the couple, they continued their ventures and opened Hardees in Anadarko, and continued with his son Randal to grow to Newcastle and Purcell, built Anadarko's first quick lube, and an automatic car wash, then established Texaco Warriormart with his other son Scott, and creating a legacy for his children to be entrepreneurs themselves.

AB and his wife never let the work get in the way of family, and family time was spent camping in Sulphur and Fun Valley and their love of the outdoors camping grew into putting down roots in the San Juan mountains of Colorado and handing down that love of cabin life, mountains, and telling stories around the firepit to their children and grandchildren.

It would be rare to hear AB say the words I love you, but his children will tell you that he said it every day through his actions. "We knew we were loved daily by what he would do for us."

According to the grandkids, he made each one stronger to handle life by one simple phrase, Why I've had worse things on the end of my tongue!

AB's presence will be greatly missed by all, recognized as business man, entrepreneur, boss, builder, craftsman, Big Cookie, friend, coffee buddy, ornery, cheater at cards, fisherman, innovative idea man, provider, a believer, full of faith, and Rhonda's babysitter.

AB is preceded in death by his loving parents, Gene and Grace Swanson Richey, his daughter, Nanette Rachelle, brothers, Purman, Shi, Raymond, Bill Jack, Leroy, Carl, and sister, Fern, and his nephew, Tracey.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Collins Richey, of the home, daughter, Vickie Richey Nation & son-in-law Jerry Nation, two sons: Randal Richey & daughter-in-law Tammy Bonham, and Scott and daughter-in-law Donna; grandchildren, Keyan, Wynter, Lauren, Abbie, Dori, and Collin Richey, and Missy & Jimmy Nixon, Brannon, Austin, & Brooke Nation, and most importantly AB's favorite child, his dog, Spencer.

He is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces as Uncle B, and sisters-in-law Beverly Richey, and Pam and brother-in-law Mike Thomas.

Funeral: 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 17, 2024

Bethel Baptist Church

Anadarko, Oklahoma

Interment: Resthaven Cemetery

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Visitation: 1:00 p.m.~8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 15, 2024

1:00 p.m.~8:00 p.m., Sunday, June 16, 2024

Ray & Martha's Funeral Home

Anadarko, Oklahoma