Rick Tarver

Milton Ricky “Rick” Tarver, 66, of Oklahoma City, passed away Saturday, November 6, 2021. Rick was born to Linos and Mary Ellen (Finch) Tarver on February 19, 1955. Rick was raised in Oklahoma City and attended Northwest Classen High School. His family attended Northwest Baptist Church where he was baptized alongside his father and sister, Marilyn. As a child, he spent his weekends fishing and boating with his family at Lake Texoma. His love of the lake lasted a lifetime and he shared these same fun-filled weekends of fishing and boating with his children and grandchildren. Rick married Sharon Hobson in 1983. Together they had two daughters, Mary Beth and Riki Lynn, and three grandsons, Lincoln, Zachary and Henry Linos. They were charter members of the Frankoma Family Collectors Association (FFCA) and spent countless hours scouring antique malls for new Frankoma treasures. They were members of the Harley Owners Group (HOG) Oklahoma City Chapter where they formed a group of friends that they called “the Herd”. The Herd traveled attended HOG conventions, participated in charity rides and poker runs, and even made the long trip to Sturgis together. Rick and Sharon shared 35 years together and they continued to maintain a beautiful friendship even after they separated. Rick took great pride in hard work and craftsmanship. He earned his welding certification and began his career as a rig welder. He owned and operated OKC Welding before transitioning to the surface preparation industry. During his career, Rick worked for Nelco, Blastrac and BlastPro. He ended his career as a Production Manager for Blastrac International in Shanghai, China. He was very well-respected in his industry and holds several patents for his work with rotor assemblies. After returning from China, Rick moved to Fort Cobb Lake. He owned and operated Bandana Rick’s Lakeside Store for two years with the help of his partner Jenny. He enjoyed meeting new people and sharing fishing stories with his customers. Rick was a loving son, father and PaPa. He was the fixer of all things, the family fishing instructor, and a top-notch omelet maker. He was a friend to all and his kindness, generosity and fun-loving nature will be missed by all who knew him.

Preceding him in death are his father, Linos Tarver, his sister, Marilyn Gootee, and nephew Jonathan Gootee. Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Mary Ellen Tarver, his love and life partner, Jenny Statton, his ex-wife, Sharon Tarver, and their children Mary Tarver and Josh Conrad and her children Zachary and Henry Linos, Riki and Brett Moore and their child Lincoln, and brother-in-law, Stan Gootee, along with uncles, cousins and friends. He was also loved and will be missed by his bonus kids, Dustin and Jaci Statton, Caleb and Tiffany Statton, Jeannie Harris and their children, Aidyn, Mackenzie, Lylly, Drake, CJ, Kynslee and Bella.