Richard (Rickie) Howard was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma just a few minutes before his twin brother, Ronnie, on January 30, 1947, to Vivian Anderson Howard and Charles Wesley Howard. On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, he was called to his forever home with the message,“Well Done, My Faithful Servant, You Can Come On In.”
The Howard family moved from Ardmore to Gene Autry when Rickie was a young boy. Joining Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church at an early age, he became a lifetime member.
He graduated from Berwyn High School in 1965. He then attended Okmulgee Technical School where he met Devora Franklin, the mother of his first child, Arlandus. In 1971, he was joined in matrimony to Sandra Gill. Two children were born to this union, Derrick and Valerie.
Rickie rightfully earned the title of “Cowboy Rick”as a kid by playing cowboys, riding stick horses, and shooting cap guns with his brothers, Ronnie and Van. When he purchased his horse, Shorty Pants, he had “arrived.” He participated in and won roping contests at local rodeos.
Rickie had jobs that spanned many years, which includes Stromberg Carlson and Conoco. He eventually retired from Uniroyal and the Carter County Sheriff’s Department. Ricky spent many hours, taking pride in mowing lawns and cleaning the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Rickie is preceded in death by his parents, and his twin brother, Ronnie. He is survived by his sons, Arlandus of Ardmore, Derrick Wayne (Nina) of Norman, OK and daughter, Valerie Shawn Padgett (Lenton), Lacey, Washington; a brother, Van (Charlotte), Ardmore, and a sister, Laura Jenkins (Lionel); eleven grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and the love of his life, his dog, Misty.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, March 25,2022 at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Kirk D. Rushing officiating. Interment will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Gene Autry. Services are entrusted to the care of Kirk Funeral Home. Viewing will be held Thursday from10:00 to 5:00 PM at the funeral Home. Those attending the services are requested to wear a mask. The services will be live streamed through the Funeral Home.
