Richard Eugene Carllson
1944-2018
Hallelujah! Richard Eugene Carllson returned home March 15, 2018. His departure was from Baylor Scott-White Medical Center, Dallas, TX. Richard had God's miraculous hand on him throughout most of his life but none more than the past eleven years. On April 24, 2007 Richard received the gift of a second life, two new lungs. The last 11 years had their ups and downs, but the extra time was worth everything. Even the dialysis and the skin cancers resulting from the anti-rejection drugs: even having to return to using oxygen a year ago when the rejection of his new lungs was underway, Richard fought – fought for more time with his friends; fought to be able to go on a two-week cruise with the entire family two years ago; fought to be able to go to Arizona and Las Vegas for six weeks just a year ago in the motorhome. And, most of all, fought for time to be with his grandchildren. But the last few months were too much, he never gave up, but he was ready to leave if that was God's plan.
Richard was born in Chanute, KS on September 23, 1944. He was raised in Tulsa, graduating from Tulsa Central High School in 1962. He attended Oklahoma State University until he married Jacki Rogers on July 15, 1967. Jacki and Richard took off a semester to be newlyweds until Uncle Sam came a calling. Richard entered the Army, was commissioned an Artillery 2 nd Lt., went to Vietnam and was honorably discharged as a 1 st Lieutenant. He did not speak of his time in Vietnam for over thirty years and then very reluctantly and only to answer questions posed by his grandsons.
After the Army, Richard returned to college receiving a BS in Marketing, Economics and Military Science. He graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1972. Having sold insurance to support his growing family during college, Richard stayed with it after graduation. Richard was a genius. He recognized in studying ERISA that self-insurance of health plans was authorized. Richard and Jacki started Mutual Assurance Administrators (MAA) in September 1975. MAA would grow to be a major third-party administrator in the United States, known for integrity and service. Richard loved MAA but never took pride in its success. Richard always gave all the credit to God and the people who worked alongside him.
Richard was a complex man. He hated the politics driving the missions in Vietnam, drivers who pulled in front and then slowed down especially when driving his 45' motorhome with a 20' trailer attached (what are people thinking?) He hated incompetence and stupid acting people. He hated dialysis even though he knew it kept him alive. He also hated lung function tests and having to go back on oxygen a year ago. He hated white rice (from his time in Vietnam.)
But Richard loved so much more. He loved nice, meaning expensive, clothes (from his time working at Harold's during college.) He loved to work hard – so he could have his expensive clothes. He loved Dusty, his yellow lab and Mono, his tuxedo cat who acted like a dog. He is finally able to play with both again. He loved chicken fried steak, fried chicken, fried okra (a real southern guy,) Marie Callender pies, chocolate sheet cake, frozen M & M's, Bit of Honey's, Johnnie's cheeseburgers and Diet Coke. It's a wonder he didn't die of heart disease. He loved going out to eat with good friends. He adored golf and all the beautiful courses he was privileged to be able to play. He loved OU sports, casino's and thickly padded chairs. He loved living long enough to celebrate 50 years of marriage to Jacki last summer. But, most of all, he loved his family – especially his grandchildren. He loved watching Ben & Cameron play basketball, Chloe playing volleyball and listening to Abby sing.
Left behind, and missing him beyond measure is his wife, Jacki; daughter, Cara Schmidt; son, Chris Carllson and daughter-in-love, Christine Carllson. But the greatest title he ever wore was SirPa. He was SirPa to Abby Carllson (22), Ben Carllson (20), Chloe Schmidt (14) and Cameron Schmidt (12). His love for these grandchildren was all encompassing and gave him reason to live these past 11 years. Very few have a grandfather love them as Richard loved these four.
Also, sister-in-law Judy Rogers, The Colony, TX; Chloe and Cameron's father, Chad Schmidt and several nephews.
Waiting for Richard at Heaven's door are his parents, Harold and Opal Carllson, a sister, Carolyn, who died at birth and he never knew; Cory Graham, his mother-in-law and her husband, Meade Graham; Rusty Rogers, his brother-in-law and Ferrill Rogers, his father-in-law. Also, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. What a joyous reunion!
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel, Edmond, Oklahoma.