Richard Laphon Chance departed this world on September 7, 2023, he was 89 years old making way to 90.  He was born in Shamrock, Wheeler Co. Texas on November 8, 1933.  He had a coffee can full of keys to oil field properties and ranchers' gates that he could pull out to each place he came upon.  No gate could keep him out. Now he will be going through that last pearly gate and no longer need his can of keys.  I can only tell you his biggest enjoyment of life besides his wife, Rose Marie and children, Michael Stanley, Victoria Gaye, Janet Marie, the baby girl, Kala Renae, and grandkids, was bird hunting.  He had four grandchildren.  It broke his heart when his shoulders and knees gave out and took the shotgun out of his hands.  I can't tell you how many dove and quail graced the table that we partook from, in the thousands at the very least.  Those days will be missed along with the man who brought them to the table.

He met and married a Mississippi farm girl and took her from her lush home to what he described as the Garden of Eden!  He took her to an oilfield camp outside of wind and sand blown Pampa, TX.  He was the electrician for a company called Humble Oil, which later would be known as Exxon Oil.  He was on call 24/7 anytime day or night in times when it was dangerous to be out alone.  He did it to keep his family fed and clothed.

He loved the old-time county singers, and it was not unusual for him to serenade his wife "Hey, good lookin', what ya got cookin'?"  He had a beautiful voice and loved to sing us his songs.  There are too many memories of his loving and giving heart to list without writing a book about a true western cowboy.  I hope all those birddogs are lined up, tails wagging to greet him, along with his wife and family he loved so much.  All I can say is "Daddy, Happy trails to you, until we meet again" Love always….

Richard is survived by son, Michael Stanley Chance; daughter, Vickye Allen and husband Dave; daughter, Janet Marie Kinman and husband John; daughter, Kala Renae Chance and husband Kirk; grandchildren, Jennifer Barrett and husband Curtis, Melissa Northrup and husband Garry, Garrett Chance; great grandchildren, Joshua Barrett, Zechariah Barrett, Elijah Barrett, Cameron Northrup and wife Nautika, Gracie Northrup, Jade Northrup and Brooklyn Chance; sisters, Cheryl Patrick, Joan Terrell and brother in law, Phillip (Buzzy) Patrick.

He was preceded in death by his wife, grandson, Dustin Lynn Chance; his parents, Vernon Chance and Pearl Chance Parker, stepfather, Mauel Parker, a sister, Rosello Stout and brother in law, Hollis Stout.

A funeral service will be held Monday, September 11th at Waldo Funeral Chapel at 11:00AM.  You can sign the online register book at waldofuneralhome.com.