Richard Ralph Dunford

Richard Ralph “Rich” Dunford, 87. Was born April 2, 1938, Lucien, Oklahoma, the son of Richard “Dick” Dunford and Lillie Cooper Dunford. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 18, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Richard was a life-long resident of Perry and graduated from Perry High School in 1956. He attended one semester at Okmulgee A&M College. His grandfather, Raph Cooper, opened Cooper Motor Company, an Oldsmobile, GMC dealership, in a building on Sixth Street n 1934. In 1948, they moved to company to the 600 block of Elm Street. Richard “Dick” Dunford took over the business in 1953 and owned and operated it until 1978, at which time Rich took over the family business and ran it until 1985.

Prior to going to work at Cooper Motor Company, Rich worked for Leonard and Flora Bell Mayes at Western Auto. He was employed from 1985-1991 for J.I Crossfield Chevrolet, and established Dunford Auto Sales on Fir Avenue in 1993.

He and the former May Howell were married April 24, 1959, at the First Baptist Church in Perry. He is the father of two daughters, Lisa and Sheila.

He and his late wife, with their travel buddies, Sharon Courtright and the late Dean Courtright, loved to travel on their motorcycles. They had a goal to visit all 50 states and made it to 48 of them. They were members of Gold Wing GWRRA. He and his friend Larry Daylor are the oldest living members of the First Baptist Church, Larry being a member only one month longer than Rich. He loved having coffee at Kumback and had a phenomenal memory of Perry history which he loved to share.

He was preceded in death by his wife, May; parents, Dick and Lillie Dunford; and two children: Shelly Renae and Ralph Brett; sisters and brothers-in-law Ray and Faye Richardson; Delcie and Gene Seat; and brothers-in-law Keith Hansing and Ted Vasek.

Survivors include his daughters: Lisa Jeffrey and Sheila Stueve and her husband, Monty; one sister: Cheryle Hansing, McKinney, Texas, and a sister-in-law, who he valued as a sister. Linda Fischer and her husband Larry, Oklahoma City; and grandchildren: Courtney Rosencutter (Brian), Cooper Skluzacek, and Kendalyn Stueve; Bailey Brown (Jesse), and Jeanie Marie; and one great grandchild, Hailey May; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home Chapel, Perry, with family greeting guests from 4-6pm. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, February 23, 2026, at the First Baptist Church, Perry, under direction of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guest book at dightonmarler.com.

Pallbearers are Bill Richardson, Gary Richardson, Cooper Skluzacek, Brian Fischer, Monty Stueve and Brian Rosencutter. Honorary pallbearers are Mike Burke, John Bode Sr., John Vasek, Joe Vaverka, Eddie Hodge and members of the Perry High School Class of 1956.

Memorial contributions can be made in Richard Dunford’s name to The First Baptist Church of Perry c/o Dighton Marler Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189, Perry, Oklahoma 73077.