Surname Index
Updated: 17 Jan 2012

Daily Oklahoman, The 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 
January 26, 1994

Richard Joseph Spooner, Prominent Attorney, born October 4, 1920 in Wichita, Kansas, died January 24, 1994 at Baptist Hospital after a short illness. He attended Missouri University and graduated from Oklahoma University School of Law with a Degree of Doctor of Juris Prudence. He has practiced law in OKC since 1951 and was held in highest esteem by the judges, lawyers, and his clients. He was a partner in the law firm of Berry & Spooner since 1969. He served in the U.S. Navy, being commissioned before the start of World War II as an Officer and remained in the U.S. Navy Reserve, retiring as a Commander. He was torpedoed at sea on December 8, 1941 and survived after being rescued. He served on many ships in both the North and South Pacific.

He was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, serving as Scout Master of Troop 36 for many years. He served as a member of the School Board of Mount St. Mary High School and of the St. Anthony Hospital School of Nursing. He was a founding member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and served as a member and President of the Parish Council for many years. He also served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. He was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He belonged to the VFW Post 1875 and American Legion Post 12. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Sportsman's Country Club and Regency Club. He was a member of Catholic Lawyers Association, the ABA, OBA, Oklahoma City Title Attorneys, Estate Plannings Council, and was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1955. He married Dolorosa "Dee Dee" Steinke in 1955.

Preceded in death by his father, Charles Richard Spooner , 1923; his mother, Margaret M. Spooner 1985. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Dee Dee; son, John Richard of OKC; daughter, Mary Kay of Bang or, Maine and her children, Patrick and Rebekah; a son, Alan R. and his wife, Diana of Los Angeles, Ca. and their children, Lee, Summer, Jennifer, Nicolas, Gina and Bobby Bennett of OKC and their children, Bailey and Blane. Also survived by brother, Char les and his wife, Joan of Kansas City, Mo.; and nieces and nephews. Memorial gifts may be made to Associated Catholic Charities, Last Frontier Council of Boy Scouts of America or the charity of your choice. Evening Prayer services will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 25, 1994 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 26, 1994 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Interment in Fairlawn Cemetery. He loved his God, his family and his country. Goodnight sweet sweet prince - may you rest in peace.

photo courtesy Teafor2.com July 2009.

Sources:  good faith fair use of sources stated above

Compiled, transcribed and submitted by Marti Graham, Oklahoma County, OKGenWeb Coordinator, January 2012. Information posted for educational purposes for viewers and researchers. The contributor is not related to nor researching any of the above.

I believe in random acts of kindness and I believe in sharing genealogy. If you have copies of photos, obituaries, wills, biographies, or stories relating to any of these families or other Oklahoma County families, would you consider sending them my way for publication at this site?

I always welcome comments and corrections.