Richard Keith Sewell

Class of 1948

1948 Maroon SpotlightRichard Sewell
Richard Sewell

President of Senior Class 47-48, Vice-President of Junior Class 46-47, Football Captain 47-48, Baseball 46-47, Wrestling 47-48, Junior Play 47-48, Teen Town Council 46-48, Perryscope 47-48.

Richard Keith Sewell

November 24, 1929 – February 23, 2012

Richard Keith Sewell, longtime Newkirk resident and businessman, died early Thursday morning, Feb. 23, 2012 in St. Simeon’s Episcopal Home, Tulsa. He was 82.

The son of Joseph Edwin and Elva Mae (Gordon) Sewell, Richard was born Nov. 24, 1929 in Perry. He grew up and received his early education in Perry, and he played football in highschool. He was graduated from Perry High School with the class of 1948. After graduation he attended Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, graduating in 1952.

In May 1952 he entered the United States Army, serving in Korea and Japan. He was honorably discharged as a 2nd Lt. in 1954, and he returned to Perry and began attending graduate school.

On Aug. 29, 1954 Richard and Jan Lucille Walker were married in Newkirk. They established their first home in Ponca City. He began employment with Ponca City Production Credit Association, working there for five years. The couple then moved to Newkirk and was employed with Albright Title & Trust Company. After five years he began his banking career with Eastman National Bank and was with the company for 20 years. He then moved to First National Bank of Braman and retired from there in 1995.

Richard was a life long member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving as Sunday School Superintendent for 20 years. He also served as Deacon-Elder and was on the Board of Trustees many times. He was a longtime member of the Newkirk Lions Club. He served as President of the Newkirk Chamber of Commerce for two years and was selected Citizen of the Year for 1967. He was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Club. Richard was a member of the Newkirk School Board for 10 years. He was one of the founders and served as President of the Newkirk Education Foundation. He was Treasurer of the Newkirk Rural Water Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and he was honored by the Oklahoma Rural Rehabilitation Corporation for his work with the farmers in his retirement. He was honored as a 50 year member of the Newkirk American Legion Otto G. Abbott Post 165. Richard loved hunting, fishing and traveling, and he followed the OSU football and basketball games.

He is survived by Jan, his wife of 57 and a half years; two sons, Scott Walker Sewell of Edmond, and Spencer Todd Sewell of Bartlesville ; two grandchildren, Brooke Nicole Sewell of Norman, and Brady Cole Sewell of Bartlesville. He is also survived by three brothers, Joe Sewell of Perry, Dr. James Sewell of Guthrie, and David Sewell of Perry.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services have been scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29 in the First United Methodist Church of Newkirk with Pastor Paula Shambacher, minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Newkirk officiating. Interment will follow in the Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service. The body will lie in state at the funeral home from 1-5 p.m. Monday; Tuesday from 9a.m.-9 p.m.; and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until noon. The casket will not be opened at the church.

Memorial funds have been established with the Newkirk Education Foundation and the First Presbyterian Church of Newkirk. Contributions may be made to either in Mr. Sewell’s name through Eastman National Bank, Box 468, Newkirk 74647-0468