Richard Louis Shelley

Richard Louis Shelley was born in Enid, Oklahoma, on July 6, 1934, to Perry and Wauzelia Shelley. He spent his early childhood in Enid and later years in Oklahoma City, where his father went to work for Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E) as an electrical engineer. He and his dad built the house in which they lived near 50th and Portland Avenue during the 1950s.

During his high school years at Classen High School, Richard was in ROTC and on the wrestling team. Soon after graduation, he attended college at Oklahoma City University for two years before joining the Army. He served as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne, as well as serving in the Engineer Battalion of the Airborne.

Following his military service, Richard returned to college at the University of Tulsa and Oklahoma University where he graduated with a degree in accounting. He then worked for 30 years in the oil and gas industry in Texas. When the oil business declined in the 1980s, he returned to Oklahoma City.

Richard’s love of guns and shooting led him to retrain as an armed security guard and private investigator. For the next 30 years he served as an armed security officer at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) campus in southwest Oklahoma City before retiring at the age of 83. He enjoyed his work and made many friends at the FAA. Shooting became an avid hobby during those years, and he earned many awards and trophies for being “top gun” in his division.

Other hobbies Richard enjoyed were various genres of music, including classical, opera, gospel, boogey woogie and old-time rock and roll. He also enjoyed working on cars, keeping up with his family, and being active at Compassion Church, formerly River of Life. Richard was a faithful Christian who loved the Lord and honored Him in all he did. He lived a happy and productive life as a great son, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle.

Richard was predeceased by his parents and his only sibling and younger sister, Carolyn, who passed away in 2005. He leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Kathy Shelley; his daughters, Catherine and Dr. Sid Roberts of Lufkin, Texas; Dana and Chad Cargile of Houston, Texas; Kylie Shelley of Oklahoma City; Step daughter Lori and Scott Liston of Stillwater, Oklahoma; and his son, Curt and Joanie Shelley of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; grandchildren: Liz Roberts Horsmon, Hannah Roberts, Phoebe Roberts, Nate Cargile, Colin Cargile, Cole Cargile, Claire Shelley, Hannah Liston and Jake Liston; also a cousin, Dr. Gene Koop and Barbara of Oklahoma City and a nephew, Wade Cody of Sherman, Texas.

Richard’s numerous friends and his church family will miss his keen sense of humor and his boyish smile.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalms 116:15).