Richard Melrose Webber

Dick Webber was born in Grayville, IL on March 28, 1927, to Lambert Duff Webber and Carro Lynn (Tad) Melrose Webber. He passed away gracefully and peacefully at his home on September 6, 2024, at the age of 97. Dick grew up in Oklahoma City in his beloved Gatewood community. He left the public school system in high school to attend Culver Military Academy for two years. When he graduated from Culver in 1945, he joined the Navy. The war ended while he was in boot camp, but he shipped out on the Biloxi, a light cruiser. He traveled to Japan where he was transferred to the heavy cruiser, Baltimore. Having been accepted to Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, he was discharged from the Navy in 1946 and began his college years where he met Jean Golladay. Dick also attended the University of Oklahoma for one year following his father’s serious heart attack, graduating with a degree in business and economics. Dick and Jean married Aug. 18, 1951, and had a remarkable life together for 70 ½ years. This union produced a loving home for four daughters, Carolyn, Elaine, Nancy and Linda.

After graduating from college, Dick began his career with the C. R. Anthony company. He worked in Van Nuys, CA and became manager of the Bellflower, CA and Longview, TX stores. In 1959, Dick heeded the call from his father to return to Oklahoma City to join in a commercial real estate and investment business. This spawned a new avenue of entrepreneurship which included commercial development, the Westoaks restaurant chain, a wholesale bakery, a computer software company which served churches and non-profit companies nationwide, and later, with the engineering help of John Miller, the invention of the Flute Master and Spiral Master tools and an LED flagpole lighting kit.

Dick engaged in many civic and church activities. He was President of the Kiwanis Club of Oklahoma City, and on the board of Trustees for Oklahoma City University for 25 years. He was on the board of directors of the Oklahoma City Economic Club, the board of directors for Citizens National Bank, was a member of the Men’s Dinner Club and a group leader of the 1976 citizens’ committee to study Oklahoma City Finance and Capital Improvements. Dick was a director for the C.R. Anthony Company, and chairman of its Corporate Committee. He wrote numerous editorials to the local paper. At Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, he chaired many committees and taught Sunday School. He traveled to Costa Rica twice and to Israel/Palestine five times with Volunteers in Mission. In 1997, he received the Bishop Paul Milhouse award from Oklahoma City University honoring his work toward aiding the Palestinian Christians and in 2001, he received Scouting’s Methodist “Cross and Flame” award for support of church and Scouting.

Dick had a passion for woodworking and was a member of the Woodturners’ Club. His craftsmanship resulted in numerous original creations for his church, his home, family and friends. An Eagle Scout, Dick supported the Boy Scouts of America and helped friends and family with scouting projects for decades.

Dick can best be described as a gentleman, a loyal friend, a Christian disciple, an ardent family man and patriarch, a student with an inquisitive mind, a storyteller of humorous stories, a man of gratitude, integrity, generosity, fairness and love.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Jean, and his brother, Dr. Robert D. Webber. It was Dick’s fervent desire to join these loved ones in heaven. Dick’s descendants include Carolyn Weber (Jim), Elaine Weinmeister (Marcus), Nancy Moore (Paul), Linda Harris (Gene), grandchildren Dan Weinmeister (Toni), Amy Rahn (Peter), Eric Weinmeister, Ryan Weber (Shelley), Duff Weber (Larissa), Brad Weber (Lindy), Elizabeth Amick (Brent), Rachael Bornhop (Eric), Hank Harris, Jane Smedley (Blaine), and 18 great grandchildren. Suzanne Webber (Al Miller) and Stephen Duff Webber are Dick’s beloved niece and nephew, and Ann Webber is Dick’s cherished sister-in-law.

The family wants to thank Dick’s wonderful, loving caregivers Trisha Haley, Sharon Brown, Susan Tall Bull and Lori Haley. Stuart Malloy’s chaplain visits provided comfort and peace.

Funeral services are under the direction of Hahn Cook at 6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, OK 73116. Visitation at Hahn Cook will be Friday, Sept. 13, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, 1212 Bedford Dr., Oklahoma City, OK 73116. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be sent to Missions, c/o Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, Scouting of America, or the charity of your choice.