Richard Gene McCorkle's Obituary
Richard Gene McCorkle, 79, of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, passed from this life on September 9, 2022, with his loving daughters and friend, Steve Young, by his side. He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on August 7, 1943, to Helen Marie Jenkins McCorkle and Richard Lloyd McCorkle. Richard spent his early childhood years in California with his Mom and loving Aunts, while his father was serving in World World II. After, the family relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, he grew up surrounded by his loving parents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins and a special double cousin. He graduated from Central High School in 1961. He loved to play football and baseball and was a natural born athlete and competitor. He attended the University of Tulsa and Oklahoma State University.
He worked for Invalco in Drafting for several years and then traveled the world working as a Pipeline welder. After returning home, he married Kathryn Lee Hoppes in 1971, opened Richard McCorkle Motor Company in Sand Springs, and started a family having twin girls.
Richard remarried in 1984 to Tracy Lynn Billions McCorkle. They had a third daughter to complete the family and spent their years dedicated to each other. They were soulmates, enjoyed many vacations to the beach, and loved each other beyond measure. He loved his family and friends fiercely.
He was an only child and he worshipped his mom and she worshipped him back.
He had a Heart of gold and would give anyone the shirt off his back. He was a trusted confidant and friend to many. He loved OU football and his Dallas Cowboys. His passions include horseracing, cars, poker games, casinos and dancing. He always had a convertible and a El Camino in the Driveway. Over the years he developed his own calculation system picking the ponies, and would share his top 3 picks with all his friends. He loved playing poker with his family and friends, he always knew “When to hold them, and when to fold them.”
He resembled and loved Elvis Presley and sometimes felt he was Elvis. He was very intelligent and witty. He was also known as the walking mans friend and was a 32nd Degree Mason.
Richard is preceded in death by his devoted parents, Richard Lloyd and Helen McCorkle, and loving wife Tracy Billions McCorkle. He is survived by three adoring daughters Gena Morrow & her husband John, of Sand Springs, Tasha Barley of Sand Springs, and Tuesday Behlivanis of Tulsa. Grandchildren include Alexa, Evyn and Elyse Morrow, Trent Richard Sweeney, Vin Barley, and Maddox Gene Coleman. Extended family including Diane Lawrence (adored Double Cousin) of Sand Springs, Jaryl Wilson (wing man) of Okmulgee and multiple best friends, Steve Young of Tulsa, Stanley Baker of Beggs, Herb Bowman of Tulsa, Ali Majidi of Tulsa, Lon White of Tulsa, Alan Snow of Sand Springs, and his Beloved Dog Brady Gene. He had very special Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins in his life. He loved everyone fiercely.
He was a devoted husband, son, father, grandfather “Poppy”, uncle, cousin, and friend. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
The family extends a special thank you to Floral Haven Funeral Home, Olivet Baptist Church, and to Scott Palmer.
A special thank you to Cura-HPC and Porta Caeli House for taking such great care of him.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at the Olivet Baptist Church, 155 North 65th West Ave, Sand Springs with Burial to follow at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens, Broken Arrow.
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