Richard Wesley Ehlers

Richard Wesley Ehlers was born in Garber, Oklahoma, on May 10, 1938, and was the last child of Emma (Maley) and Ralph Ehlers. Richard passed away on November 24, 2024, in Edmond, OK.

Richard was raised in Lamont, Oklahoma, where he played football, ran track, and was generally onery. After high school graduation, he attended Northern Oklahoma College - Tonkawa, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, the University of Oklahoma, Central State College, and Central State University. He earned Bachelor's and Masters degrees in education, English, special education, and administration. His teaching career spanned 30+ years in Oklahoma City, Minco, Tuttle, Friend, Amber-Pocasset, Bridge Creek, Norman, and Oklahoma City Southwestern College. His extra duties at school included keeping the scoreboard during games, working the concession stand, driving the bus, fearlessly teaching driver's education, shooting the touchdown cannon at football games, being a class sponsor, and covering classes and activities for his colleagues. Without fail, he wore a starched short-sleeved shirt and tie every school day. He was the English teacher for both his children and hundreds of other students. Richard loved Shakespeare, short stories, diagramming sentences, poetry, and commenting about sentences that incorrectly ended with a preposition. After retiring from education, Richard was called to serve as the pastor for Selecman United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. 

Richard joined the Army National Guard a month after his 1956 graduation from high school. He served as a chaplain, sharpshooter, marksman, transportation expert, and general clerk. After 43 years of service, he retired with the rank of Sergeant Major. Richard carried American flag stars in his pocket to distribute to military personnel he met wherever he went each day.

Richard was a 58-year member of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma and served in the Tuttle Masonic Lodge and Moore Masonic Lodge. He was the Grand Chaplain for several Worshipful Master Masons.

Richard was a member of First United Methodist Church - Edmond and the Footsteps Class. Before moving to Edmond, he had been a member of the United Methodist Church of Moore, Southern Hills, and Tuttle.

Volunteering to help was part of Richard's life as he set up tents and chauffeured artists for the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, assisted visitors at Southwest and Edmond Integris hospitals, helped with Grady County 4-H, worked security for OU sports, and offered a kind word and assistance to anyone on need.

Richard is survived by his son Todd & wife, Heather; his daughter, Kristy; grandchildren Austin, Annika, Cooper, and Duncan; sister Pat (Jim) McWilliams; and a plethora of other family members and a whole host of friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn, his parents, and his siblings and their spouses, Charles & Donna Schiller, Mildred Skarkey Lanning, Dorothy Schiller, and Betty & Art Patterson.

In lieu of flowers, the family has designated memorials be made to the education program at BlueSTEM AgriLearning Center, 3232 N Jesse Reno St, El Reno, OK 73036.

 Richard's arrangements are under the direction of Tribute Southwest - Tuttle.