Balfanz, Ralph Richard (Dick) entered into the holy gates of heaven on August 20, 2022 surrounded by family and was reunited in paradise with those who passed on before him. We fully believe a beautiful reunion occurred as Jesus welcomed him home. Dick was born November 28, 1944 in Clovis, New Mexico to Ralph Edward and Jo Marie (Carmack) Balfanz. He spent his childhood playing football, baseball & basketball & held records at Clovis Little League for the most home runs until recently and was a member of the 1960 Class AA New Mexico State Championship football team. He graduated from Clovis High School in 1962 & attended McMurray University later graduating from Eastern New Mexico University in 1969 where he studied accounting. Following graduation he moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma where he began working for Conoco.

He married Jane Dale Goodman on December 21, 1974 in Ponca City & later welcomed a daughter, Kari Jane & a son, Richard Edward.

Dick worked for Conoco and later Conoco - Phillips as a Director of Finance in the Engineering and Research Department from 1969 until his retirement after 34 years in 2003. Following retirement he worked for his son, Rick, at Kwik Kopy & later Consolidated Oilwell Services.

Dick received the Citizens Award from Conoco in Wilmington, Delaware because of the work he did in the volunteer sector as a school board member at McCord Elementary in Ponca City, Oklahoma & on the Ponca City Welfare Association. He was very involved in the Lions Club in Ponca City & enjoyed traveling to the National Conventions in New Orleans, LA & Dallas, Texas & meeting new people on his travels.

Dick was a member of the Church of Christ. In Ponca City he attended Hartford Avenue where he drove the Joy Bus, volunteered with the Benevolence Closet, was a greeter enjoyed leading prayers & sharing scriptures & served on the finance committee for many years. His church family & the realtionships he built were very important to him. Upon moving to Stillwater, Dick became a member of the Stillwater Church of Christ where he attended until his passing.

Dick never met a stranger and had a personality, quite larger than life, that will never be forgotten by those who knew him. He loved his grandchildren deeply & celebrated their accomplishments and enjoyed spending time with them whenever he could. He enjoyed OSU athletics & cheering on

his adopted Cowboys in all sports with his beloved wife by his side. Hunting & fishing with his son & grandsons, Hayden and Colt were treasured moments for him. He enjoyed playing bridge with his wife, dominoes with his family & golf in earlier years. He leaves a legacy of love, loyalty, faith & friendship for all who loved him. Upon his death Dick donated his body to Oklahoma State University Medical Center in hopes that his donation might find a cure or treatment for Type 1 Diabetes which he fought for 67 years since his diagnosis at 10 years old.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph & Jo Marie Balfanz, mother in law & father in law, Roy & Mildred Goodman, brother in law, Don Goodman & nephew, Landon Joe Lusk.

Dick is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jane Balfanz, of the home. Daughter, Kari & husband, Chris Nolan of Mulvane, Kansas & son, Richard (Rick) and wife, Charla of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Grandchildren, Karstyn, Kamryn, Chance and Kalyn Nolan of Mulvane, Kansas & Hayden & Colt Balfanz of Stillwater. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Remi, who will miss her nightly dose of PEEPS. Additional survivors include brother & sister in law, James & Helen Balfanz, of Beaumont, Texas, sister & brother in law, Jo Lynda & Dan Lusk of Clovis, New Mexico, sister in law & brother in law, Jo and Jim Stirider of Gamailel, Arkansas & sister in law, Sandy Goodman of Florence, Alabama. Dick is also survived by a large extended family across the United States.

A celebration of life will be held at Stillwater Church of Christ on Saturday, August 27th, 2022 at 10:30 am with Jimmie - Wray Mead & Don Huddleston presiding. The family asks in lieu of flowers that you make a memorial donation to The American Diabetes Association or the Stillwater Church of Christ in Dick’s name.

Paid Obituary