Richard Dale McGriff

Richard Dale McGriff was born June 22, 1942 in Plymouth, Indiana to Eugene McGriff and Florence Keyser McGriff. He passed from this life and rode off to eternal glory on July 3, 2023 in Oklahoma City at the age of 81. Richard grew up with a love for the land and nature, He loved horses, John Wayne, and John Deere tractors. By age 15 he had purchased his own tractor to help with the family farm. He was also skilled at driving heavy equipment including motor graders.

Richard had a passion for riding and training horses that remained with him all his life. He passed on that love to his daughters Autumn and Ashley who spent as much time as possible in the saddle as well.

Richard served in the United States Army at Ft. Knox Kentucky, Ft. Lee, Virginia and Korea in 1968-1969. Upon returning home from the Army, Richard started his oversize load pace service that covered five States. Richard lived several years in Wheatland, Wyoming where he had a home repair business. His time in Wyoming getting to know the various ranchers continued to encourage his inner cowboy.

In the fall of 1975 he ran into an old acquaintance who became the love of his life, Patricia Bocko. The two were married April 2, 1977 in Bourbon, Indiana. By August of that year, the newlyweds decided to strike out for a new life and moved to Waurika, Oklahoma where they have lived for 46 years. Richard joined the Waurika Police Department where he became the Assistant Chief of Police. He cherished the years that he was able to contribute to the safety of the community and to the development of a relationship with the local youth. Richard kept his feet in the stirrups over these years by working with many local ranchers.

As much as he loved horses, his greatest joy was his family. His continued love goes out to his daughter Autumn Sorrell and her husband Cody of Comanche, Oklahoma. Bunches of love to daughter Ashley Gates and her husband, Preston of Midlothian, Texas. Every fiber of his heart was filled with happiness to be a grandpa to Remington and Presley Gates. He will forever be your Dit-Dah.

Celebration of life will be Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 5:00PM at Waurika Cross Brand Cowboy Church, 8500 N. US 81, Waurika, Oklahoma 73573

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to support the Waurika FFA. An account will be set up at First Farmers National Bank in Waurika.