Memorial service for Richard Gene Elam will be at 2:00 pm Wednesday, March 27, 2019 in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with his cousin John Elam officiating.

Richard Gene Elam, 60 of Lawton, passed away Friday, March 22, 2019 in Lawton.  He was born July 1, 1958 in Frankfurt, Germany.  As a young boy he attended Parkview School for the Blind in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  Blind since birth, during high school he was an award winning wrestler, winning many trophies and tournaments.  He attended many high school events, including Homecomings and Proms.  He loved listening to his Dallas Cowboys on the radio.  The Oklahoma League for the Blind named him Worker of the Year in 1985, placing his picture with news article in the Oklahoman.  Richard worked in the wood-stacking division putting together survival kits for the United States Air Force and Navy.  He also attended Horseshoe Canyon Summer Camp in Binger, Oklahoma.  This was a special camp for the blind.

Survivors include his siblings; Patty Oakes and husband Bill of Lawton, Clyde Elam of Lawton, Mary Ann Elam of Owasso, Oklahoma, Mandy and husband Jerry Harris of Lawton, John Elam of Geronimo, Oklahoma, 8 nieces and nephews and 16 great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Margareta and Bobby Gene Elam of Lawton.