A Celebration of Life for Richard Lee “Rick” Swiggett is 10:00 am, Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel. Sonny Daub will officiate, with burial to follow at a later date in Byron-Amorita Cemetery, Byron, Oklahoma. Military honors will be given by the United States Marine Honor Guard. Cremation and funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Rick was born April 9, 1953 in Enid to Guy Leslie Swiggett and Marcella (Riley) Swiggett, and he passed away Saturday, May 13, 2017 in Enid.
Rick attended school in Enid, Drummond and Waukomis, graduating from Enid High School in 1972. He enlisted in the Marine Corp on June 26, 1972 serving his country in the Vietnam War before being honorably discharged on June 6, 1075. After his military service, he returned to Enid where he went on harvest for several summers. On April 1, 1975, he welcomed his first daughter, Christina.
Rick took care of the developmentally disabled people for nine years at Sunnyside and Enid Group Home. He also had a contract mail route and drove the mail from Enid to Dover. He did this job for many years until his health became too bad to continue. Rick loved the martial arts and attained a black sash in Salufy Kung Fu, a black belt in Ninjutsu, and a Red Belt in Taekwondo. He continued practicing until 2012 until he became ill. He also loved his dogs! His first dog was Kim, a pekinese-cocker spaniel mix. He went on to have many other dogs, from a St. Bernard to his current chow chows, Buba and Princess.
On June 12, 1997, he married Kellianne Johnson, and in doing so, acquired three more daughters, Krysta Creed, Brande Naugle and Heather Martin.
Rick was first baptized at the Willow Road Christian Church in Enid, and then on July 6, 2010, Father Larry Kowalski confirmed him in the Catholic Church and re-baptized him. Rick loved Father Larry and felt free to talk to him.
The things about Rick that his family will always remember are that he loved his motorcycles; he was stubborn but caring; he overcame a number of life altering physical hardships; he worked hard; and he always said to Christina, “I love you kid”.
He is preceded in death by his father, Guy Leslie Swiggett.
Rick is survived by his wife Kellianne, of the home in Enid; four daughters, Christina Rainbolt and husband Jon, of Maize, KS; Krysta Creed and husband Mike, of Wagoner, OK; Brande Naugle and husband Kyle, of Cleo Springs, OK; Heather Martin and husband Don, of Enid; his mother, Marcella Swiggett, of Nashville, TN; six grandchildren, Hayden, Alexus, Kaeleigh, Bentlee, Garytt and Camden; one sister, Ann Cummings and husband John, of Nashville, TN.
Memorials in Rick’s name may be made to Hospice Circle of Love or the Christian Bikers Association with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.
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