Franklin Louis Ritchey

Franklin Louis Ritchey, 82, a longtime resident of Blair, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, December 28, 2025. Born on June 8, 1943, to Louis and Flora (Hibbard) Ritchey in Portland, Oregon, Frank was one of five children and grew up in a home full of built-in friends.

Frank followed his father into the military, joining the United States Air Force, a journey that eventually landed him at Altus Air Force Base. He served his country through war and peace, retiring after twenty-plus years.

Frank married Helen Bernadine Cucina on April 11, 1987, in Newport, Oregon. The couple shared 37 devoted years together before her passing in June of 2024.

Following Frank’s retirement from the U.S. Air Force, he owned and operated the Dairy Queen on South Main Street in Altus, where he and Helen became familiar faces to many in the community.

Frank and Helen started a new adventure and moved back to Oregon in the 80's. For the next eighteen years, they owned and operated a Dairy Queen in Depoe Bay on the Oregon Coast Highway. They retired, sold the Dairy Queen, and started a new adventure exploring the country in their RV with their beloved dogs. He grew to love southwest Oklahoma while stationed there and chose to make it his home after his second retirement.

Frank had a deep appreciation for the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and had a blast racing stock cars at Altus Speedway. An avid coin collector and ham radio enthusiast, Frank enjoyed the humble comforts of life, his home, his family and friends, meeting new people, his dogs, and unwinding with a nice glass of bourbon.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; parents, Louis and Flora; sisters, Nancy Elle, Sherry Cleman, and Missi Amiott; and brother, Ronald Ritchey.

Frank will be dearly missed, and his memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends, including his children, Jean Machelle (Martin) Eastham and James Michael (Lynn) Ritchey; his two grandchildren, Joseph Wayne (Jenny) Greer and Michael Jason Greer. He loved his sister-in-law, Judy Ritchey, and all his nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren. Frank was blessed by a large chosen family including Kevin Gerhart, who loved Frank as his own and ensured he and Helen were able to spend their last years in their home in Blair, Kathy Cotner-Thorton, Steve Osborne and wife, Brenda, Frank Osborne; and their families.

Inurnment with Military Honors rendered by the Blue Knights Honor Guard will be held at Blair Cemetery on January 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Online memorial tributes and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com.