Richard Forrest Ledbetter

Richard Forrest Ledbetter, 69, passed away at his home in Cleveland on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at the age of sixty-nine years, eleven months and twenty-three days.

Richard was born September 24, 1932 in Osage, Oklahoma. He was the son of Charlie and Edna (Lawrence) Ledbetter. Richard moved as an infant with his family to Stillwater where he obtained his education. Richard was married to Wilma Maxwell on August 16, 1953 and was later divorced.

Mr. Ledbetter began employment with the City of Stillwater in 1953 for the Sanitation Department, working along side his father. He later transferred to the Waste Water Management Department and remained employed until December 1977 when he moved to Texas.

Upon moving to Texas, Richard was employed by the City of Arlington as chief engineer of the water treatment plant. He remained in that capacity for nearly eighteen years until his retirement in 1995. Richard was married to Virginia (Welch) Arnold of Independence, Kansas on August 23, 1991. The couple moved to Cleveland in 1995, making their home at 404 North D.

Richard was an active and faithful member of the Western Heights Baptist Church in Cleveland. He is survived by his wife, Virginia of the home; five daughters, Linda Ledbetter, Cleveland, Oklahoma, LaDonna Kuekelhan, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Pam Williams, Whitney, Texas, Cathy O'Mara, Elk City, Kansas, and Sandy Ledbetter, Irving, Texas; two sons, Richard L. Ledbetter, Arlington, Texas and Forrest (Bud) Ledbetter, Cleveland, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren: five sisters, Dorothy Morris, Stillwater, Oklahoma, Shirley Shank, Stillwater, Oklahoma, Margaret Knox, Rex, Georgia, Wilma Mayfield, Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Alma Barbaree, Summerville, South Carolina; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at the Western Heights Baptist Church with Rev. David Head officiating. Burial will at Osage Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

''Visit and online obituary and guestbook for Richard Ledbetter at www.chapman-black.com.''