1953 - 2026
The Memorial services celebrating and honoring the life of Richard Anthony Abernethy, 73, of Enid, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in the Brown-Cummings Chapel. Complete cremation care and services are under the direction of Brown-Cummings, A life celebration home.
Richard was born to Dr. Edward “Abo” and Mary Ruth (Hill) Abernethy in Enid on February 5, 1953, and passed from this life on June 6, 2026, at Integris Hospital in OKC with his family by his side.
He was raised and educated in Enid, graduating from Enid High School with the class of 1971. He loved playing football as a Plainsmen and planned on playing for Southwestern Oklahoma State before a knee injury ended his football career. He then went to work for Bekins Van Lines, during which time he wed Vickie Anderson, and from this union, they had their daughters, Jacquelyn and Jamie. During these years, he worked for Emrick’s Van and Storage and United Supermarkets of Oklahoma. Richard went on to attend Autry of Enid Radiology school, getting his radiology tech license, and began working at St. Mary’s, before eventually joining his forever work home at Surgery Center of Enid in 1995 until he retired in 2017. He gained many lifelong friends at SCOE and loved them all very much.
Throughout his younger years, Richard loved playing the drums, singing, and recording songs in his spare time. He also loved watching OU football and softball (as long as they were winning), cooking the most amazing foods (including his famous chili that was requested for every holiday meal), and giving all of his love to his kids and grandkids.
Richard is often described by those who knew him as one of the most genuinely kind people they’ve ever met. He radiated love and would always make you laugh. He would suffer in silence if he thought his problem would be a burden to others. He was the best Dad to his girls and his love never wavered. He loved spoiling his grandkids even when Jacquelyn and Jamie told him, “No!” He was always their biggest fan in every chapter of their lives, even when his physical ailments prevented him from attending events in person. They will miss him immensely and will carry him with them always.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Abo and Mary Ruth Abernethy; his brother, Sandy Abernethy; grandparents; and his former wife, Vickie Abernethy.
Richard is survived by his daughters, Jacquelyn Abernethy (Rodney Wise) and Jamie (Erik) Sunderland, of Enid; 5 grandchildren, Eli Underwood, Madison Underwood (Hannah Jolley), Paityn Abernethy, Khloe Krejci, and Paxton Sunderland, all of Enid; brother, John Thomas Abernethy, of Enid; sister-in-law, Anne Abernethy, of Enid; nieces, Sarah (Jason) Mitzel, of Virginia, Amy (Brandon) Peterson, of South Carolina; nephew, David (Summer) Abernethy, of Oklahoma City; and several great nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.
The family knows that Richard was appreciative of all of the care he received over the last few months, but he would want to give a special thank you to a few caregivers for the exceptional comfort and dignity they provided him. Thank you Donna A. with Comfort Keepers; Richard, Morgan, and Clayton at St. Mary’s inpatient rehab; Macy and Sherry at St. Mary’s on 3rd floor; Alice, RT at St. Mary’s; and Marlo at Integris OKC 6th floor ICU.
Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family online at WWW.BrownCummings.com.
