Richard 'Dick' P. Sheffield

April 24, 1935 - January 17, 2021

Richard ‘Dick’ Paul Sheffield, 85, a lifelong resident of Fort Gibson, was born April 24, 1935 in Dubuque, Iowa to Paul and Helen (Ludescher) Sheffield and peacefully passed away Sunday, January 17, 2021 in Muskogee. Dick received his formal education and graduated from Fort Gibson Schools. Dick married his best friend, Clara Henderson on November 8, 1955. He worked at Fansteel Metallurgical Corp. in Muskogee for fourteen years, while running a growing dairy farm in Fort Gibson. Dick’s hobbies included fishing, water skiing, and snow skiing. For many years, Dick and Clara took their grandchildren and bonus grandchildren snow skiing every Christmas holiday, sending them to ski school and Dick skiing with them to ensure they could ski, until they started skiing faster than him. Then in February Dick would go skiing again with Clara, his sisters, brother in laws and friends. (the adult ski trip) He was a faithful member of the Fort Gibson First Baptist Church, serving as Deacon. Dick was the President of Muskogee County Farm Bureau and served on the Rural Water District Board. He grew Fort Gibson corn, soybeans, greens, cantaloupes and watermelons. Dick was the best in the business. He received numerous awards throughout his life time for his agricultural endeavors. One such award was in 1977 when his young family was chosen as the Oklahoma State Farm Family of the year. Dick is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Helen Sheffield; son, David Paul Sheffield; and a sister, Susan Alexander. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Clara of the home; daughters, Beth Wright of Oktaha, OK; Karen Bouse and husband Brad of Broken Arrow, OK; and Jan Westover and husband Dew of Vernon, TX; daughter in law, Nancy Sheffield of Fort Gibson, OK; grandchildren, Jonathan Moore of Oktaha, OK; Dustin Wright of Edwards, CO; Keiven Wright of Memphis, TN; Lindsey Bouse of Broken Arrow, OK; Jessica Wilcox of Fairview, OK; Brian Sheffield of Fort Gibson, OK; Jimmy Westover of Frederick, OK; and Cassie Westover Swatzell of Houston, TX; 8 great grandchildren; sisters, Elaine Henderson of Fort Gibson, OK; Ann Wilks of Oktaha, OK; and Betty McCollom of Edmond, OK; and a brother, Don Sheffield of Grand Junction, CO; extended family and many friends. Viewing will be held 12PM-7PM Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home in Fort Gibson. The family has requested, in lieu of flowers to make donations in Dick’s name to the Fort Gibson FFA Booster Club, 500 South Ross, Fort Gibson, OK. 74434 or by call 918-478-2474 for more information. A celebration of Dick’s life is scheduled for 2PM Thursday, January 21, 2021 at the Citizens Cemetery Pavilion with Pastor Glen Rowan officiating. Casket bearers are Brian Sheffield, Keiven Wright, Dustin Wright, Jonathan Moore, Clint Wilcox, and Jimmy Westover. Honorary casket bearers are Butch Cook, Rick Thompson, Harold Ballard, and Dennis Poindexter. The family of Richard ‘Dick’ Paul Sheffield has entrusted his care, services and burial to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555. Online condolences may be left at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com