Richard Catron

Richard Catron was born on July 13th, 1946 in Stilwell, OK, the son of Robert William and Betsy (Hummingbird) Catron. He was raised with nine brothers and seven sisters, Eddie, Brett, Neil, Gary, Levi, Calvin, Jimboyd, Rex and Perry, Kathleen, Mary, Patsy, Doreen, Annette, Romy and Margaret. Richard attended school and then, on December 9th, 1971, married his best friend and the mother of his children, Retha Mae Feathers. They met when Retha’s sister married Richard’s brother and the rest is history. Together they raised a family of two sons and two daughters, John, Lafayette, Crystal and Amanda. The best way to describe Richard was he loved life to its fullest. He played guitar and bass in Tulsa, this later led to opening acts for Jack green, Loretta Lynn and playing with Jerry Lee Lewis. He loved to take things apart and fix them up again, and he did this to countless lawnmowers and weed eaters. The outdoors was where he felt the best, and he loved cranking up the tunes, heading for the garden and raising the best strawberries and vegetables you can imagine! It didn’t matter the weather, Richard was content to watch the sun rise and set from his own porch, a hot cup of coffee in his hand. He graduated from Okmulgee Technical as an Auto Mechanic, and he excelled with the highest grade in the class. He worked hard, played hard and always kept his family first and foremost. He adored his wife and children, and never made them feel second best. He was proud of his Cherokee heritage, teaching Cherokee Language skills in school and also out of his home. He was very involved in the Cherokee Spiritual Movement of Stomp Dancing, and was the second Chief at the Echota Stomp Grounds, and also attended Steeley Baptist Church. He liked cooking his famous chili and water gravy for his family, and used a ruler to wrap gifts and write on paper or do word search. Life was the best and Richard enjoyed it to the fullest. He was funny, entertaining, intelligent and above all, loved people. He passed from this life on April 19th, 2022 in Tahlequah, OK, surrounded by the family that loved him. He was 75 years old.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, mother and father, six brothers, Gary, Levi, Calvin, Jimboyd, Rex and Perry, daughter-in-law, Kammy Soap Catron and son-in-law, Michael Hutchinson.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of fifty years, Retha Catron of Tahlequah, OK, and his children, John Feathers and wife Misty of Keys, OK, Lafayette Catron of Park Hill, OK, Crystal Catron Wacoche of Tahlequah, and Amanda Catron Hutchinson of Tahlequah. He leaves three brothers and seven sisters, Eddie Catron of Tahlequah, Brett Catron of Stilwell, Neil Catron of Stilwell, Kathleen Williams and husband David of Tahlequah, Mary Harlin of Stilwell, Patsy Shannon and husband Frank of Broken Arrow, Doreen Williamson of Tahlequah, Annette Luethje and husband William of Stilwell, Romy Cordova and husband Michael of Tulsa and Margaret Hummingbird and husband Alex of Stilwell. Richard lives on in his 10 grandchildren, Tom Feathers, Dylan Daniels, Mason Daniels, Austin Feathers, Lexi Kirk, Catelyn Kirk, Kendra Wacoche, Trejen Wacoche, and Colton Hutchinson, his beloved grand-fur baby, Sugar, the Chihuahua and Anais his cat, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Richard Catron will be held on Monday, April 25th, 2022 at Reed-Culver Chapel with Reverend Levi Catron Jr. officiating. The family will have a visitation on Sunday, April 24th, 2022 beginning at 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel. He will be laid to rest at Caney Cemetery in Tailholt Community in the family section.

Pallbearers for Richard include Jeremiah Catron, Chance Nakedhead, James Davis, Raven Feather, Fillip Munoz, and Jayare Fields. His honorary pallbearers include Tracy Wacoche, Eddie Catron, John Paul Catron, Darren Rill, Tom Feathers, Dylan Daniels, Mason Daniels, Austin Feathers, Trejen Wacoche, Colton Hutchinson, and Jeff Nicholson.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Catron family.