Richard Patrick Findley

Richard P. "Rik" Findley, 67, of Osgood, died peacefully in his sleep at 12:02 a.m. Friday, September 14, 2018, at Columbus Regional Health of a massive pulmonary embolism with his wife and younger daughter present.   Burial was Monday, September 17, at Perseverance Cemetery in Osgood, just down the road from his beloved country home.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 22. The ceremony will be held at Dayspring Assembly of God in Indianapolis.  Pastor Danny May of Church on the Rock Versailles will officiate.  Anyone who knew Rik or the family is welcome to attend.  Please share or hear stories of how Rik made others laugh.

Born in Enid Oklahoma, August 15, 1951, Rik was the son of Robert and Jeane Murray McCormick Findley, the third of seven children.  He was a member of the Osage Nation.  He was married to Mary Dragan for 8 years.  He married Robin McCafferty on May 1, 1988; they recently celebrated 30 years of wedded bliss.

Rik spent his childhood in various states and a stint in Holland. He was a graduate of Warner Robins High School, Warner Robins, GA.  He would say he dropped out of University of Louisville playing bridge and chess.  One year he was even the unrated chess champion of North Carolina.

Rik was a hard worker.  He worked at many jobs and loved learning new trades.  He worked up until the day before he became disabled in April 2016. His longest employment was as a diesel mechanic and building maintenance at Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation for 20 years.  Then he transitioned from mechanic to semi driver and drove a truck for LB Trucking for 13 years until he retired in 2016 where he received the safest driver award many years.  Everywhere Rik worked, they called him “Preacher”.

Rik participated in many ministries.  He and his wife ran a shepherding home for women in crisis pregnancies.  He drove a church bus for many years.  His greatest ministry was his sense of humor.  He had code words for almost everything, and special names for his friends and family—for instance he called his daughter Claire the Bear and her unborn baby his Grandbear.  He was known to transpose letters at the drop of a hat, and use truck driver lingo, like “20”, “10-4”, “status”, and “roger that”.

In his personal life, he kept the family’s vehicles in top running order.  He used to change everyone’s oil.  In later years when he wasn’t’ as mobile, he worked closely with his nephews to pass his skills on.  He always carried a pen and tire gauge on him .  He would check tire pressures on cars at family gatherings and church parking lots.  He was most famous for the homemade tomato sauce he canned for ZBM’s, his code for Zesty Bloody Mary’s.

Rik’s domain was the kitchen on a weekend morning with his wife and daughters.  He would play music on his old 1970’s stereo and announce, “it’s a {name of artist} weekend”.   He would make a hungry man’s breakfast from scratch and then bring it to you.  Then he would mow the grass or shovel the walk with a song in his heart.  He loved his music.

Rik was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Denny. Survivors include his siblings:  Jayne (Bill) Hunter of Mobile, Alabama, Tom (Peggy) of Cocoa Beach, Florida, Jody (Butch) Dennis of Spokane, Washington, Julie (Mark) Boyd of Franklin Tennessee, and Jeri Findley of Paducah, Kentucky.  He leaves behind 17 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by daughters Martina (Matt) Schuett of Indianapolis and Claire (Khyle) Reed of Osgood.  He is also had 2 grandchildren with one grandchild due in March.  He was honored to be the first person to the hear the heartbeat of his unborn Grandbear. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Community Healthcare Clinic of Decatur County - 415 E. Montgomery Road, Greensburg, IN 47240.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Patrick Findley, please visit our floral store.