Richard Leon Winfrey's Obituary
Richard Leon "Dick" Winfrey, 81, of Welch, Okla., passed away Thursday, April 15, 2021, after a sudden illness.
Dick was born August 8, 1939, in Narcissa to Charlie Thomas Winfrey and Daisy Ennis (Davis) Winfrey. He was a 1957 graduate of Bluejacket High School. He then attended college for a couple of years. On July 14, 1983, he married the former Wathena Parsons in a ceremony in Miami, Okla. They made their home in Welch.
He was very well known as a mechanic in Craig County. He worked first for Beehler's Garage at four corners, then at Leon's Coal Company, Patch Coal Company, Neill Cattle Company, and at both Craig County District 2 and 3.
He was retired from the Welch Volunteer Fire Department. He served as Fire Chief for many of those years. He spent countless hours working on the fire trucks himself to keep them in good working order. When he had spare time, he loved gardening, fishing, hunting, tractor pulls, helping anyone in need, and being surrounded by his grandchildren and family. He was a member of the Bluejacket Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Wathena, on September 15, 2020; his parents; a granddaughter Heather Winfrey; a brother, Thomas Winfrey; and a son in law, Eddie Griffin.
He is survived by four children, Rick Winfrey and wife Terri of Afton, Robin Agler and husband Brian of Columbus, OH, Laura Griffin of Vinita, and Steve Russell and wife Robin of Adair; 13 siblings, Clem, Gary, Mike, Rudy, Terry, Glen, Sonny, and Randy Winfrey, Shirley Dossman, Ann Morrison, Debbie Davenport, Nancy Brooks, and Sharon Lay; 8 grandchildren, Chase and Rian Winfrey, Taylor and Bryce Agler, Whitney Wilson and husband Dustin, Paige Long and husband Deke, Hailie Griffin, and Miranda Lewis and husband Alex; 6 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; along with numerous good friends.
The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 Sunday, April 18, 2021 at the Thomas & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Welch. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 19, 2021 at the Bluejacket Cemetery. Pastor Davies Vanpool will officiate. Casket bearers will be Brian and Bryce Agler, Chase and Rick Winfrey, Alex Lewis, Steve Russell, and Deke Long.
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