Fredrick Jay "Rick" Graff, 67, passed from this life on April 12, 2016 at his home in Amarillo, TX. He was born on November 13, 1948 in Tooele, Utah. He grew up in Kansas, living in Potwin, El Dorado, Wichita, and Rosalia where he graduated high school with the Class of 1966. He then attended Butler County Community College for a short time before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1968. He worked on ground communications equipment and as a radio mechanic. Rick attained the rank of Sargent while being cited for the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. While serving at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK he met Lois Jones, and the two were married on January 17, 1970 in the Seiling United Methodist Church by Pastor Orville White. After a year of being stationed in Alaska, then transferring to Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, TX, Rick was honorably discharged in June of 1972. The couple made their home in Tulsa, where Rick attended the Spartan School of Aeronautics. He worked in the field of aeronautics while the couple lived in Tulsa, Wichita, Guymon, and Enid, then he transitioned into the oil and gas industry which led him to Hobbs, NM and Baytown, TX. He continued this work in Edmond and Chickasha but due to economic changes he moved to AT&T as a service tech in the mid 1990s. He was dedicated to his work until health issues forced him to retire in 2012.
Rick enjoyed working with his hands and being outdoors. He liked airplanes, tractors, and old cars. It was common to see him fixing things, mowing, and enjoying his family. He was also active in his local church everywhere he lived.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents Lorraine Wammack and husband G. C. "Bud;" Frederick Graf and wife Evelyn.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Lois Graff of Amarillo, TX; daughter Tonya Joza and husband David of Amarillo; son Keith Graff and wife Moriah of Fargo, OK; siblings Adale Cazzell and husband Chris of Willard, MO, Karl Graff of Peck, KS, and Jana Clark and husband Eddie of Manhattan, KS; father and mother in law Gene and Audry Jones of Seiling; four grandchildren Charis, Katie, Grant, and Matthew Joza; as well as several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who will continue to carry on his memory and values.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at the Redinger Funeral Home Chapel officiated by his children Tonya and Keith. Burial will follow in the Liberty Cemetery.
Memorial Donations in Rick's honor may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or the American Heart Association c/o Redinger Funeral Home, Box 236, Seiling, OK 73663.