Richard Gary Leivas

Richard Gary Leivas, 71, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Norman, Oklahoma. Richard was born on Saturday, September 16, 1950, in Chandler, Oklahoma, to Richard Harry Leivas and Elois Mae. Richard grew up in Davenport and Stroud, graduated from Stroud High School in 1968 and went on to attend college at Murray State in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. He proudly served our country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War in the 3rd Platoon A Company 7th Battalion 2nd Brigade. Richard met Joyce Leivas in April 1975 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where they raised four daughters and lived for 45 years until they moved to Noble in 2019. After returning from service, Richard worked as a painter and auto body repair mechanic. He retired from the 72nd Civil Engineer Group at Tinker Air Force Base after working there for 20 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed being outdoors, often taking trips with the family to fish (not for bass) at the creek, river and camping at the lake. He also loved showing his girls how to search for arrowheads/flint and discovering nature. As a member of the VFW, he enjoyed visiting the local chapter to play a game of pool or hang out with fellow members. Later in life, Richard tinkered with woodworking and small crafts. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Richard Harry Leivas, and his stepfather, Harley Flanagan. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 47 years, Joyce Leivas; his mother, Elois Flanagan; five daughters, Krystal Smith and her husband, Gary, Misti Keenon and her husband, Greg, Ginger Haggard and her husband, Alec, Kimberly Leivas and fiancé Wesley Brown, and Kelly Ketchum and her husband, Trevor; brothers, Fred Leivas, and Larry Flanagan; his sister, Theresa Clark Spencer; grandchildren, Walker Smith, Addison Smith, Embrie Smith, Austin Keenon, Taylor Keenon, Ava Haggard, Caden Haggard, Lillian Ketchum, and one on the way, Baby Boy Owen; as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.