Graveside service for Wayne Dale Richards will be 1:00 PM Tuesday, January 6, 2026 in Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma.

Wayne Dale Richards, 71 years old, went to be with the Lord on December 20, 2025, in Lawton, Oklahoma. He was born to Marion Dale Richards and Mary Joan (Wells) Richards on November 30, 1954, in Chateauroux Lindre, France. Throughout his childhood, Wayne attended schools in various states and Germany due to his family's military commitments, ultimately graduating from Eisenhower Hight School in Lawton in 1973. Following his high school graduation, Wayne enlisted in the United States Air Force on December 7, 1973 and served for four years, specializing as an Imagery Interpreter Specialist. Upon completing his military service, Wayne felt the calling to nursing and pursued a degree in Registered Nursing from Oklahoma State University, which led to a fulfilling 30-year career in emergency rooms and intensive care units in Oklahoma and Colorado. In his leisure time, he loved watching Oklahoma Cowboys football. He enjoyed motorcycles, fast cars and frequent trips to Las Vegas also. Wayne's family and friends remember him as a fun-loving and dedicated individual.

He leaves behind his loving mother, Mary Joan Richards; siblings Brenda Ivey (Jim), Vicki Bauer, and Michael Richards (Terri); nephews Jason Bunzel, Taylor Richards (Heather); niece Madison Aust and many great nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his father, Marion Dale Richards; grandparents Chester R. Richards, Rhoma Richards, Wayne Wells, and Marie Wells.