Richard Lee Wynn Sr.

Richard Lee Wynn Sr died peacefully at his home on March 26, 2018 in San Antonio Texas at the age of 85 years. Richard is survived by his wife Shirley Joan Wynn, three children, 12 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren.

Richard Lee Wynn Sr was born November 23, 1932 in Iola, Kansas to Harley Murton Wynn and Naomi Ruth Smith. Richard graduated with a GED, got a year of college through the US Army and then an Associate Degree in Business Administration after retirement. Richard married Shirley Joan Davis on Aug 26, 1952 and celebrated 65 years of marriage this year. Richard entered the U.S. Army at age 18, attending basic training and wheel mechanic courses in Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. During this time, he met his future wife Shirley from Sallisaw, Oklahoma; the family story is that he offered to “blot her lipstick,” and the rest was history. Richard served two tours in Korea during the war, on the eastern front, and after under U.N Peacekeeping, receiving a combat commission to Specialist First Class as he was heading to ship transport home. While starting a family of three children, Richard served three consecutive tours in Germany from 1957 through 1969. Richard cut short his fourth tour in Germany in 1969 to serve in Vietnam and his family moved back to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During his Vietnam tour, Richard served as a forward command post communications support specialist maintaining critical power and A/C, receiving the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medals for his service. He finished his 21 yrs. of active U.S. Army service as an instructor at Fort Sill Oklahoma. By the age of 39, Richard had received a total of 15 medals and commendations for his military career, including the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious service, and was discharged honorably as a Chief Warrant Officer CW2.

After serving his country, he worked in Oklahoma in real estate holdings, both private and commercial, as a maintenance supervisor, until his retirement in 1994 at the age of 62.

Richard was an accomplished automobile mechanic and rebuilt many antique cars, including his prized possession, a 1932 PB Plymouth Coupe. This vehicle was entered the Great Race in 2004 from Detroit MI and Daytona Beach FL. During this cross-country rally race, the 1932 Plymouth was authorized a sanctioned lap on six American NASCAR racetracks, including Richard’s favorite, the Indianapolis Race Track.

A funeral is scheduled for March 31, 2018 at 12:00 noon at the Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Hwy, San Antonio TX, with general viewing from 10:00 to 12:00 and a reception to follow. The Rev Bill Shockley will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Richard’s life.