J. Richard Blissit was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 27th, 1936, to Bettie Mae Westmoreland Blissit and Virgil Richard Blissit. Richard died peacefully on May 9th in Tulsa at Zarrow Point Nursing Facility. Richard was raised with his younger brother, Ron. Both Bettie and Virgil worked so the boys’ grandmother Cary Elizabeth (MoMo) cared and cooked for them most of their young lives. He was graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1954 and went on to attend the Parson School of Design in New York City. Over the years, Richard also attended classes at the University of Tulsa and Oral Roberts University; later he served as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Richard’s career was spent as an interior designer owning and operating several related businesses including J. Richard Blissit Interiors, Interior Design Resources, Flight Resources and others. He was a longtime member of the American Society of Interior Design and the Rotary Club of Southside Tulsa. Richard was an ordained minister and founded Others Ministry.
A licensed pilot, he loved to purchase old planes and refurbish them. He flew any chance he got and was proud to say he was instrument rated. In 1985, Richard co-piloted his plane, The Spirit of Tulsa, in the First Transatlantic Air Race taking first place in the single engine division. He enjoyed a variety of other interests including motorcycles, boats, and antique cars. He and his brother Ron especially loved antique Pierce Arrow automobiles as their father sold Pierce Arrow Autos in the late 20’s and early 30s. He loved animals. He was especially fond of German Shepherd Dogs and Tennessee Walking Horses.
Those he leaves behind include his two daughters Kari Blissit Bargas and husband Rocky, of Edmond, Oklahoma; Keli Harrell and husband Mike, of Roland, Oklahoma. He is also survived by two sons Rick Blissit and wife Janet, of Collinsville, Oklahoma, and Randy Blissit, of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Richard’s grandchildren include Kailan Woods and husband Kaelin, Chelsea Harrell, Alex DeCamp, Kyleigh Harrell, T.H. Harrell, Trey Blissit, Elizabeth Blissit, Matthew Blissit, Michael Bargas and wife Julie, Wade Bargas and wife Ashley, Blaine Coffey and husband Aaron, and Mitch Bertrem. His great grandchildren, Kellen, Avery, Campbell, Emerson, Hadley, Karsyn, and Norah Mae, also mourn the loss of their great grandfather. Richard’s brother, Ron Blissit and wife JoEllen, reside in Norman, Oklahoma.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 15, 2017, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church in Tulsa with Reverend Connie Ichord officiating. Committal service and interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa. The family requests memorial contributions be made in Richard’s memory to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 397, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74101-0397. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
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