Obituary for Richard Milliigan
Richard Milligan - San Diego, CA
Kari Robinson and Calli Oakley wish to share the passing of their beloved father. After a long battle with multiple health conditions, he passed peacefully in San Diego, CA at the age of 72 in the presence of his devoted family.
Born to Norma & Richard in Eugene, OR, Ricky (as he was lovingly called by family and close friends), was the eldest of 6 children: sons Richard, Michael, David, Scott, and Danny, and daughter Tammy. He spent his early years moving from state to state until finally settling in Mangum, OK. At the age of 17, Rick enlisted in the US Army, proudly serving our country in the Vietnam War, after which he was honorably discharged and returned home to Mangum to pursue a career in plumbing under the mentorship and tutelage of Jerry Bell (Mangum, OK).
Rick met his future wife, Lisa Sanders, a San Diego native, while she was visiting family in Mangum in the summer of '81. After a long distance courtship, the two married in an intimate San Diego ceremony in 1982 and began their married life back in Mangum.
In December 1983, Rick became a father to his first daughter, Kari, in Shawnee, OK. Just 18 months later, Rick & Lisa completed their family with the arrival of their 2nd daughter, Calli, in Ada, OK.
The family moved to San Diego in 1988. Rick became a plumbing estimator for the construction company A.O. Reed, where he remained until he retired and moved home to Mangum for the last time in 2010. His most notable memories from his career include meeting Shamu the whale at Sea World in San Diego, and planning the plumbing for Cars Land and the Grand Fountain at California Adventure with Disney's illustrious Imagineers.
Rick's retirement was short-lived. A man who loved the satisfaction of physical labor and serving his neighbors, he soon started a local plumbing company and got back to work. He loved serving his local community and often spent as much time visiting with his clients and neighbors as he did tending to their plumbing issues. His kind, gentle, and earnest nature, combined with an incredible work ethic and insistence on excellence made his business a success.
Nothing was more important to Rick than family. Although he dreaded air travel, he planned an annual road trip to visit family in Oklahoma almost every year. After his divorce from Lisa in 1995, Rick remained within 2 miles of his daughters until they were grown and starting families of their own. After he returned home to Mangum, he tracked down his estranged brother, who was battling end-stage lung cancer in another state, and brought him home to see his mother just days before his brother passed. In recalling this experience, Rick's mother praised her son's gumption for bringing them together one last time. With the arrival of his grandsons in 2016 & 2017, Rick took up his annual road trips again, this time making the trek to California every year for precious grandpa time.
In April 2021, Rick experienced multiple strokes during surgery to repair his heart. His recovery presented him with many opportunities to succumb to hopelessness, but over the next year he worked courageously every day and eventually regained the ability to speak, stand, and walk. At the end of the same year, Rick was diagnosed with lung cancer. Undeterred, he continued his physical therapy and stroke recovery while enduring cancer treatments.
His daughters were constantly at his side during his recovery, bringing his grandsons to visit, taking frequent trips to walk at the lake, attending church on Sundays, and enjoying fluffy pancakes and eggs at Sunday lunch, Rick's favorite meal.
Rick's greatest achievement in this world was being a father and a grandfather, and he cherished time with his daughters, sons-in-law, and especially his two grandsons, Emery (11) and Luke (5). His love for children was a hallmark of his character, and he was known to tease a smile or laugh from any child who encountered him with his calm and silly disposition.
Rick was welcomed into heaven by his brothers, Michael, David & Danny. His passing is mourned by his daughters and grandsons, his mother and stepfather, Norma & Jerry Gates of Granite, OK, sister Tammy of Mangum, OK, brother Scott of Kaufman, TX, and ex-wife Lisa of San Diego, CA, with whom he remained close. Rick’s humble, generous spirit will be greatly missed by many in this world.
A graveside celebration of Rick's life and final interment will be held at 2pm on January 21st at Riverside Cemetery in Mangum. Reception and refreshments to follow at The Lighthouse Church. The family asks those planning to attend to RSVP by phone to Kari Robinson, 619-309-8012.
Arrangements are Pending under the direction of Greer Funeral Home, Mangum, Oklahoma.
To sign the online guest book and share memories with the family please visit www.GreerFuneral.com
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Kari Robinson and Calli Oakley wish to share the passing of their beloved father. After a long battle with multiple health conditions, he passed peacefully in San Diego, CA at the age of 72 in the presence of his devoted family.
Born to Norma & Richard in Eugene, OR, Ricky (as he was lovingly called by family and close friends), was the eldest of 6 children: sons Richard, Michael, David, Scott, and Danny, and daughter Tammy. He spent his early years moving from state to state until finally settling in Mangum, OK. At the age of 17, Rick enlisted in the US Army, proudly serving our country in the Vietnam War, after which he was honorably discharged and returned home to Mangum to pursue a career in plumbing under the mentorship and tutelage of Jerry Bell (Mangum, OK).
Rick met his future wife, Lisa Sanders, a San Diego native, while she was visiting family in Mangum in the summer of '81. After a long distance courtship, the two married in an intimate San Diego ceremony in 1982 and began their married life back in Mangum.
In December 1983, Rick became a father to his first daughter, Kari, in Shawnee, OK. Just 18 months later, Rick & Lisa completed their family with the arrival of their 2nd daughter, Calli, in Ada, OK.
The family moved to San Diego in 1988. Rick became a plumbing estimator for the construction company A.O. Reed, where he remained until he retired and moved home to Mangum for the last time in 2010. His most notable memories from his career include meeting Shamu the whale at Sea World in San Diego, and planning the plumbing for Cars Land and the Grand Fountain at California Adventure with Disney's illustrious Imagineers.
Rick's retirement was short-lived. A man who loved the satisfaction of physical labor and serving his neighbors, he soon started a local plumbing company and got back to work. He loved serving his local community and often spent as much time visiting with his clients and neighbors as he did tending to their plumbing issues. His kind, gentle, and earnest nature, combined with an incredible work ethic and insistence on excellence made his business a success.
Nothing was more important to Rick than family. Although he dreaded air travel, he planned an annual road trip to visit family in Oklahoma almost every year. After his divorce from Lisa in 1995, Rick remained within 2 miles of his daughters until they were grown and starting families of their own. After he returned home to Mangum, he tracked down his estranged brother, who was battling end-stage lung cancer in another state, and brought him home to see his mother just days before his brother passed. In recalling this experience, Rick's mother praised her son's gumption for bringing them together one last time. With the arrival of his grandsons in 2016 & 2017, Rick took up his annual road trips again, this time making the trek to California every year for precious grandpa time.
In April 2021, Rick experienced multiple strokes during surgery to repair his heart. His recovery presented him with many opportunities to succumb to hopelessness, but over the next year he worked courageously every day and eventually regained the ability to speak, stand, and walk. At the end of the same year, Rick was diagnosed with lung cancer. Undeterred, he continued his physical therapy and stroke recovery while enduring cancer treatments.
His daughters were constantly at his side during his recovery, bringing his grandsons to visit, taking frequent trips to walk at the lake, attending church on Sundays, and enjoying fluffy pancakes and eggs at Sunday lunch, Rick's favorite meal.
Rick's greatest achievement in this world was being a father and a grandfather, and he cherished time with his daughters, sons-in-law, and especially his two grandsons, Emery (11) and Luke (5). His love for children was a hallmark of his character, and he was known to tease a smile or laugh from any child who encountered him with his calm and silly disposition.
Rick was welcomed into heaven by his brothers, Michael, David & Danny. His passing is mourned by his daughters and grandsons, his mother and stepfather, Norma & Jerry Gates of Granite, OK, sister Tammy of Mangum, OK, brother Scott of Kaufman, TX, and ex-wife Lisa of San Diego, CA, with whom he remained close. Rick’s humble, generous spirit will be greatly missed by many in this world.
A graveside celebration of Rick's life and final interment will be held at 2pm on January 21st at Riverside Cemetery in Mangum. Reception and refreshments to follow at The Lighthouse Church. The family asks those planning to attend to RSVP by phone to Kari Robinson, 619-309-8012.
Arrangements are Pending under the direction of Greer Funeral Home, Mangum, Oklahoma.
To sign the online guest book and share memories with the family please visit www.GreerFuneral.com
To send flowers in memory of Richard Milliigan, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Graveside
Saturday
21
Jan
2:00 PM
Riverside Cemetery
Mangum, OK 73554
Mangum, OK 73554
Reception
Saturday
21
Jan
3:00 PM
The Lighthouse Church
128 N Pennsylvania Avenue
Mangum, OK 73554
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