Obituary for Richard Walton Churchwell
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home
1100 E. Tamarack Road
Altus, Oklahoma 73521
(580) 482-1233
CHURCHWELL
Richard W. Churchwell, age 87 longtime resident of Altus and Friendship communities, passed away Monday, May 9, 2016 at Grace Living Center in Mangum.
Richard was born in Altus on February 28, 1929 the son of Jesse Ray and Velma (Brisbin) Churchwell. For many years, Richard drove a propane truck for Carl Hatton Propane Company and delivered propane to farmers and ranchers in the area and delivered jet fuel to Altus AFB. He was a frequent patron of the Friendship Inn where many friends gathered for coffee, visitation and to eat. He was a part-time farmer and raised cattle and owned, bred and raced race horses, favorite of which was "Keep on Truckin". During the early 1960"s, he worked on the ICBM missile silo project surrounding Altus AFB. There were 12 silos in Oklahoma and Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Wilton Ray and wife, Betty of Blair, Oklahoma, brother Henry Omar Lee of Oklahoma City, sister, Colleen Booker and husband D.L. of Othello, Washington. He is survived by his longtime companion, Phyllis Wendt of Mangum, Oklahoma, brother Wesley C. and wife Hermalee of Midwest City, Oklahoma, sister Karen Kistler and husband Bob of Tacoma, Washington, a special niece and husband, Radonna and Wayne Whitaker of Altus, Oklahoma and special nephew David Churchwell and wife Caren of Hollis, Oklahoma who provided continued care for Richard allowing him to continue living at his home. Each made weekly visits to the nursing home checking on his health and welfare and providing hours of visitation. He is also survived by eight additional nephews and two nieces, many great- nephews and great-nieces, and many cousins throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Florida. His continuing declining health, following several weeks in rehab at Plantation Nursing Center, Altus, located on the land his grandparents homesteaded in the early 1900"s, was preceded prior to moving to Grace Living Center, Mangum, Oklahoma to be with his companion Phyllis.
The family of Richard wish to express their appreciation and thanks for the excellent care provided by Grace Living Center employees and management staff at Mangum.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Friday, May 13, 2016 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel in Altus with interment following at Altus City Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
For those not able to attend the service, Lowell-Tims will provide a live web-cast of the service beginning at 9:58 a.m. Friday. Go to www.Lowell-Tims.com and click on obituaries. Then click on Richard W. Churchwell. There will be a large area inviting you to join the web-cast.
To sign the online guest book and share memories with the family please visit www.Lowell-Tims.com
05/13/2016
10:00 AM
Funeral
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel Altus, Oklahoma
Read More
1100 E. Tamarack Road
Altus, Oklahoma 73521
(580) 482-1233
CHURCHWELL
Richard W. Churchwell, age 87 longtime resident of Altus and Friendship communities, passed away Monday, May 9, 2016 at Grace Living Center in Mangum.
Richard was born in Altus on February 28, 1929 the son of Jesse Ray and Velma (Brisbin) Churchwell. For many years, Richard drove a propane truck for Carl Hatton Propane Company and delivered propane to farmers and ranchers in the area and delivered jet fuel to Altus AFB. He was a frequent patron of the Friendship Inn where many friends gathered for coffee, visitation and to eat. He was a part-time farmer and raised cattle and owned, bred and raced race horses, favorite of which was "Keep on Truckin". During the early 1960"s, he worked on the ICBM missile silo project surrounding Altus AFB. There were 12 silos in Oklahoma and Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Wilton Ray and wife, Betty of Blair, Oklahoma, brother Henry Omar Lee of Oklahoma City, sister, Colleen Booker and husband D.L. of Othello, Washington. He is survived by his longtime companion, Phyllis Wendt of Mangum, Oklahoma, brother Wesley C. and wife Hermalee of Midwest City, Oklahoma, sister Karen Kistler and husband Bob of Tacoma, Washington, a special niece and husband, Radonna and Wayne Whitaker of Altus, Oklahoma and special nephew David Churchwell and wife Caren of Hollis, Oklahoma who provided continued care for Richard allowing him to continue living at his home. Each made weekly visits to the nursing home checking on his health and welfare and providing hours of visitation. He is also survived by eight additional nephews and two nieces, many great- nephews and great-nieces, and many cousins throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Florida. His continuing declining health, following several weeks in rehab at Plantation Nursing Center, Altus, located on the land his grandparents homesteaded in the early 1900"s, was preceded prior to moving to Grace Living Center, Mangum, Oklahoma to be with his companion Phyllis.
The family of Richard wish to express their appreciation and thanks for the excellent care provided by Grace Living Center employees and management staff at Mangum.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Friday, May 13, 2016 at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel in Altus with interment following at Altus City Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
For those not able to attend the service, Lowell-Tims will provide a live web-cast of the service beginning at 9:58 a.m. Friday. Go to www.Lowell-Tims.com and click on obituaries. Then click on Richard W. Churchwell. There will be a large area inviting you to join the web-cast.
To sign the online guest book and share memories with the family please visit www.Lowell-Tims.com
05/13/2016
10:00 AM
Funeral
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel Altus, Oklahoma
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