Dick died peacefully in his sleep on February 17, 2020. He was born to Bea (Follmar) and Sterling Mayes in Earlsboro, OK on October 29, 1928. When he was eight years old the family moved from Earlsboro to Oklahoma City. Dick attended Gatewood Grade School and Taft Jr. High School. When he reached Classen High School, World War II was under way and he took summer classes, graduating in two years’ time, then enlisted in the U.S. Army. Ninety days later, he was crossing the International Date Line on his way to serve in the forces occupying Korea. After discharge in 1946, he enrolled at the University of Oklahoma majoring in business and minoring in journalism. While at OU, he joined Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and served as its president and as executive secretary of the Inter Fraternity Council.
While at OU, he met Jo Ann McKibben, an Alpha Chi Omega pledge from Barnsdall, Oklahoma on a blind date. The couple married in 1951, and three years later were blessed with the birth of twin girls Cynthia Ann and Deborah Sue. A third daughter, Beverly Gail, was born in 1960, and their fourth daughter, Julie Kay, was born in 1964. Their girls were the joy of the couple’s happy life together. Dick was a very hands-on Dad and was always present for his girls. The family took vacations to Colorado and Hawaii and Dick saw to it that each of his girls traveled to Europe.
Following Dick’s graduation in 1952, he and JoAnn established their home in Oklahoma City, where Dick was employed as Assistant Manager and Public Relations Director of the Oklahoma Safety Council. During that time, he also taught classes in Salesmanship and Report Writing at Oklahoma City University School of Law. From there, he was called to New York City to work in the Public Relations Department of the Association of Casualty and Surety Companies.
He was hired then by Batten, Barton, Durstin and Osborne – BBDO – satisfying his youthful dream of working for a Madison Avenue advertising agency. After a year on the job he was transferred to the agency’s Boston office. He eventually returned to Oklahoma City, where he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing in the home office of Bunte Candy Company.
He left Bunte to buy a local pet supply company which he rebranded as USA Pet Supply. The company grew to be a dominant regional supplier of livestock and supplies to pet stores and chains, installing the pet departments in all newly opening Walmart stores.
Dick later sold USA Pet Supply and became a Certified Financial Planner. Dick, who laughed about his peripatetic career path, continued working in that capacity until he finally retired at age 82.
After JoAnn’s death, Dick was reunited with Marilyn Jean (Pope) Elkin. The two had met and dated casually many years before while members of the Methodist Youth Fellowship at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. In 2011, Marilyn moved from Austin, TX and the two shared happy times together.
A member of MENSA, Dick worked at one time or another in community service capacities including raising funds for OCU, the YMCA and the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. He served for a time as chairman of both the Chamber’s Membership Committee and the Downtown Division of the YMCA. For many years Dick wrote the humorous Friday Filosopher column for OKC FRIDAY newspaper. He also served as president of the Fairdale, Belle Isle and Riviera (FBIR) Neighborhood Association, editing that organization’s newsletter for several years. He was a faithful member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.
Dick is survived by daughters, Cindy Marose of Oklahoma City; Debby Hensley and husband, Johnny of Piedmont; Beverly Stewart and husband, Steve of Edmond; and Julie Wilson and husband Jeff, of Oklahoma City; by grandchildren Ryan Stewart and wife, Lily; Craig Marose; Hayley Owen and husband Josh; Kelly Marose; three great grandchildren (and a fourth on the way!); and his sister Sue Holladay and niece, Sherry Rankin both of Katy, TX. He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn. Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 26, at the Chapel Hill Funeral Home at 8701 NW Expressway.
In lieu of flowers friends, are asked to make donations to St. Luke’s, the Food Bank of Oklahoma City or the charity of their choice.
