Richard William Laudermilt

Richard William Laudermilt was born to Chester Lawrence Laudermilt and Mary Loucinda (Hunter) Laudermilt on June 1, 1938, in Columbus, Ohio. He passed from this life on August 15, 2024, surrounded by his beloved family in Oklahoma City, at the age of 86. Richard served in the Indiana National Guard for the United States Army during the early years of his life. After serving for 3 years in the 1950’s, he was honorably discharged and placed in the reserves for the remaining 5 years. He continued working at a General Motors auto parts factory until his retirement. Because of his work in the auto industry, Richard was a member of the American labor union called the United Auto Workers (UAW). Richard met the love of his life, Essie Jane (Stevens) Laudermilt, and they were joined in holy matrimony on June 2, 1977, in Muncie, Indiana where they settled to start their new life together. While in Muncie, they were baptized as members of Saint Francis of Assisi. In early 2024, they made the leap to Oklahoma and made Harrah their home. Richard loved playing cards, going to casinos to get that big win, and watching Law and Order and Wheel of Fortune. He could be found any time of the day playing and napping with his cat, Baby. He enjoyed practicing his German, collecting guns, and getting his allowance. During Christmas time, he was always seen giving out scratch-offs and coins to everyone eagerly waiting to see if anyone won. He frequently took walks to look for any loose change that he could find and enjoyed sharing this task with his beloved grandchildren who called him “Papa”. His wife, kids, and grandkids were the apple of his eye. Left to cherish Richard’s memory are his wife, Essie Laudermilt, his sons, Luther Laudermilt and fiancee Mary Costakis, of Oklahoma, his daughters, Lynnette Massey of Oklahoma, and Jannel Laudermilt, his sisters, Barbara Stephens of Tennessee and Flo Williams of Michigan, his grandchildren, Morgan Cusack, Corie (Lindsey) Shown, Whitney Stover, and Sarah Wilbourn and husband, Ben Wilbourn all of Oklahoma, Great-Grandchildren, Brooklynn, Georjah, Roselee, Antonette, and several grand-children and great-grandchildren from his children who have gone before him. Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Chester Laudermilt and Mary Wing, his sister, Deloris Laudermilt, his brothers, Raymond and Harold Laudermilt, his sons, Billy, Kevin, and Jeffrey Laudermilt, and his daughters, Robin, Barbara Jo, Shannon Stover, and his grandson, William Stover. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 5 PM at 9944 Forest Hills Road in Harrah, Oklahoma. Richard’s memory shall live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Richard William Laudermilt

June 1, 1938 - August 15, 2024

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