Ricardo "Rick" "Ricky" Blanchard was born November 20, 1955, to Robert "Blank" and Theresa (Gentry) Blanchard. Rick entered this world in his own show stopping fashion as one of the first babies born in the Ryan Hospital during their open house. Rick passed from this life on February 16th, 2024. Rick grew up in Ryan, OK, graduating from Ryan High School in 1974. He later went on to attend the University of Central Oklahoma known then as Central State, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1980. He is a certified CPA and was currently employed as a financial analyst at Lucky Star Casino. Rick was many things in this life: a wonderful son, a supportive brother, a loyal friend, a hard worker, and a phenomenal father. However, above all the titles Rick held, he was salt of the earth, a larger-than-life person that left a mark on everyone he met.

Rick had many passions including but not limited to the Ryan Cowboys, the OU Sooners, the band – Rush, animals of any kind, and a good writing pen. Ricky attended many of Ryan’s football games this past fall watching them make it to the Class C State Championship game, but his greatest joy was catching up with old friends. Rick loved the OU Sooners but watched the OU Softball team the most of all. He was witness to two of their past 3 World Series wins and would share stories of the wonderful people he met in the stands. Rick was a lover of animals of any kind but held a tender spot in his heart for cats. He had 4 cats of his own and could always be found feeding stray cats just about anywhere he went. Anytime Rick was asked to sign anything, you could always count on him saying, "I’ve got a pen". He collected pens of all sorts and loved finding a pen that wrote well to his left-handed self.

Above all his passions, the ultimate love in his life was his daughter: Tori. His bond with her was rare, special, and everlasting. Anyone that knew him, knew her. He swelled with pride at the mention of her name. Rick’s humor, warmth, kindness, loyalty, and bravery will live beyond his years on Earth through every single person that knew him. This loss is immense and immeasurable, and we only ask that you continue to share the stories of Rick so pieces of him live on this Earth forever. He is survived by his mother - Theresa Blanchard, daughter – Victoria "Tori" Blanchard and partner Meredith Womer, sister- Chata Blanchard, sister-in-law - Jan Blanchard, niece - Maris Blanchard, and nephew- Zane Blanchard. He was preceded in death by his father Robert "Blank" "Hawkeye" Blanchard, and brother – Robert "Bobby" Blanchard. Memorial services for Mr. Blanchard will be Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 1:00PM at First Baptist Church in Ryan with Ricky Phillip’s officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Oklahoma Central Humane Society or an Animal Rescue of choice. Services are under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home.