Obituary of John R. "Dick" Conklin

John Richard "Dick" Conklin, 87, of Coffeyville passed away Friday, June 12, 2015, at Bartlesville, OK. He was born March 31, 1928, at Kansas City, KS to Charles Wright and Clara Jane (Smith) Conklin. When Dick was 6 years old his family moved to Coffeyville where he grew up and attended school, graduating from Field Kindley High School and Coffeyville Community College. Dick was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 with Heavy Mortar Co., 223rd Infantry, 40th Infantry Division. On June 21, 1953, he married Dorothy A. Wolfe at Neodesha, KS. Following their marriage they made their home in Coffeyville. Dick was employed at the Sherwin-Williams Paint Store, they were transferred to Pueblo, CO for 17 years, returning to Coffeyville in 1971 to be Manager he retired in 1991 after 43 years of service with Sherwin-Williams. After their retirement Dick and Dorothy continued to make their home in Coffeyville until moving to Bartlesville in October 2014 to be closer to their daughter. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, and the Daylight Defenders Lions Club. When he was young he was in the Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout. Dick loved spending time with his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandsons. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy of the home; one daughter, Kay Meek and husband Ken of Bartlesville, OK; son-in-law, Floyd Keefer of Tulsa, OK; three grandsons, Dr. Samuel Meek and wife Sooyoung Lee of Germany, Christopher Harrison and John Harrison both of Tulsa, OK. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and one daughter, Jane Christine "Christy" Keefer on December 19, 2013. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville with Pastor Nicole Schwartz officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park with Military Honors conducted by V.F.W. Post #1022 and American Legion Post #20. Friends may call on Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family will receive friends on Monday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to the Daylight Defenders Lions Club or the First United Methodist Church; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.