Life Reflections

Richard Lee Chaplin answered the call from his heavenly father on October 25, 2022. Richard was born February 11, 1947, in Haskell, Oklahoma, and was the third son of 12 children born to William and Wilma Jean Chaplin. He graduated from Haskell High School in Haskell, Oklahoma, in 1965.

In the years following his high school education, Richard proudly enlisted in the United States Army. He excelled in automotive mechanics and taught automotive mechanics in the German States of Hessen and Rheinland Pfalz at US Army Garrison Wiesbaden base. Richard served a tour in Vietnam years 1968-1969. He married Shirley Adkins in 1974, and two children were born of this union: Mieyaka Chaplin-Blocker and Ashanti Chaplin. Richard began his professional career as a beloved automotive mechanic for his community, friends, and family. His civilian career began with General Tires, Kraft Tours, Cooper, Tulsa Concrete, and Tulsa Public School Transportation; he later retired from American Airlines.

Richard was born and raised in the church and accepted God into his life as a youth. In Tulsa, his spiritual journey began at Greater Union Baptist Church, and he chose to make Gethsemane Baptist Church his church home for many years. Richard was involved in various social and benevolent activities. He was a proud member of the Gethsemane Baptist Church's choir, usher, and deacon board.

Richard's proudest spent moments as a loving husband and a doting father and grandfather. He prized his work ethic and was kind to all who knew him. Richard had a generous spirit and was always willing to help those in need. He had a vibrant personality and didn't complain; he only worked harder and smarter to make the best out of life. Richard passed down the philosophy of living life to the fullest, following your heart's desire and dreaming big. Making friends everywhere, strangers were few and far between. Richard's distinctive voice brought love, laughter, and light to all in his presence. He enjoyed cooking, grilling, fishing, gardening, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Sundays were for fellowship and football. His favorite pass times were sitting on the porch with his wife and reflecting on a life of good times: hanging out and sharing his knowledge of auto mechanics with his nephew, Jason Williamson, chatting with his siblings, checking on his near and dear, and talking up a storm with anyone who would listen.

Richard Lee Chaplin was preceded in death by his parents, William and Wilma Chaplin; his brothers, Laverne Chaplin, Leon Chaplin, and Perry Chaplin, his sisters Earnestein Chaplin, and Lillie Butler, his son-in-law Robert Blocker.

Richard will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by his devoted wife, Shirley Ann Chaplin; his loving children; Mieyaka Chaplin-Blocker and Ashanti Chaplin, Tulsa, Oklahoma; his grandchildren; Kortlan Blocker, Ceibrione Blocker, and Cienna Blocker; his brothers William (Florence) Chaplin, Burlington, Iowa, Billy Don Chaplin, Arlington, Texas; his sisters; Ida Renfro, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Earlene Jimerson, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Thermaple (Benjamin) Borens, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Betty Lou (Herman) Williamson, Tulsa, Oklahoma; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and his close friends Sandy Barnes and Brady Simms.

The Final Hour for Mr. Chaplin will be Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Shiloh Baptist Church - 1124 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Tulsa, Oklahoma

You may visit Richard, as he slumbers in peaceful repose in the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., in Tulsa on Friday, November 4, 2022 between the hours of 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM.