Richard Vick Irons, 85, passed away on June 24, 2019, while pursuing his passion for running. He was born November 19, 1933, in Oklahoma City to Gladys Eulalia (Vick) and Samuel Leon Irons. Richard attended Central High School in Tulsa and graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City in 1952. He received a BA in commercial art from the University of Tulsa in 1956 and served two years active and four years active reserve duty with the United States Army, achieving the rank of staff sergeant.

Richard had a 32-year career as a jeweler with the Zale Corporation, managing three stores in Tulsa under the Boswell's and Bailey, Banks & Biddle brands and supervising stores in Oklahoma City, Topeka, KS and Jonesboro, AR. After retirement, he worked for many years as a member of the maintenance staff at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church.

At the age of 66, Richard started running, entering races of all distances including numerous marathons and half-marathons. At age 70, he qualified for and completed the Boston Marathon. Running became his passion, and he treasured the many friends that he made in the Tulsa running community.

Whether while running, selling jewelry, or helping a friend, Richard saw every encounter with another person as an opportunity to encourage others and share his faith. He considered himself "blessed" every day of his life and urged others to share his resolutely positive outlook. He touched the lives of everyone he met, and leaves behind a rich legacy of having been a truly kind and caring soul. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his two siblings, Leon Irons and Judy Rowland. He is survived by his daughters, Jaclyn Leleux, Janelle Cox, and Jillian Myers, and his nephews, Scott Rowland and David Rowland.

Services will be at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, June 28, 2019, at St. James United Methodist Church. Richard requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Gideons International.


Moore Southlawn Chapel 918-663-2233