Obituary for Richard Behar

Richard Calvin Behar

March 31, 1929 ~ May 25, 2022 (age 93)

Richard Calvin Behar, age 93 and life-long resident of Ponca City, Oklahoma, died on Wednesday, May 25th, 2022 at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, West Haven, Connecticut. Richard was born in Ponca City on March 31, 1929 to Eunice Lorene King and Ross Chester Behar. His paternal grandparents, John Claude and Mary Catherine “Minnie” Behar participated in the Cherokee Outlet Land Run, September 16, 1893, homesteading in the Tonkawa and Blackwell areas of Oklahoma.

Richard served in the United States Army from March, 1951 to December, 1952 and was stationed in Alaska during the Korean War. Following an honorable discharge from the service, Richard returned to Ponca City, finding work initially as a carpenter, home builder and mechanic. Richard and Lea Jeanine Schnitzer were married April 25th, 1955 at the First Christian Church of Newkirk, OK. Living briefly in Ponca City, they subsequently moved to the Osage in the McCord School District where they remained and raised their family.

In the mid to late 1960’s, Richard and his brother, Raymond, established a trucking business for local and long-distance hauling of sand and gravel, and later constructed and operated a sand processing plant (Behar Sand & Gravel) on the Arkansas river basin off State Highway 60 in Ponca City, and a concrete batching plant (Behar Redi-Mix) in Kaw City. The sand and high-test strength concrete produced was used in the construction of the Highway 11 bridge spanning the Kaw Reservoir by the US Army Corps of Engineers and in numerous city streets and residential projects in Kaw City, Ponca City and neighboring areas. In the 1980’s, Richard worked as a diesel engine and truck mechanic for several local area businesses. After retirement, Richard most enjoyed working in his home shop, bringing his many ideas and inventions to life.

Richard was deeply religious, spiritually unflappable in his faith in God, which providing him an enduring source of energy and comfort. He and Jeanine were long time members of The Philadelphia Church of God, and the friendships they developed there with so many members provided support through the years. He was always helping others, whether stopping to assist a stranded motorist or repairing a neighbor’s car or mower.

Richard is survived by two sons, Kevin L Behar of Branford, CT and Joseph R Behar of Rowlett, TX, a granddaughter (Kristina D Behar), two nieces (Kathy Rhynard, Cindy Sebor), six nephews (Calvin Sells, Wesley Behar, Tony Behar, Ronnie Behar, Mike Behar and Bob Sebor), and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Lea Jeanine Behar (2013), sisters, Juanita Arlene Sells (2002) and Darlene Jane Sebor (2018), brothers, Raymond Wesley Behar (1985), Charles Olen Behar (1944), Chester Olen Behar (1928) and Ross Junior Behar (1924), parents, Eunice L (1983) and Ross C Behar (1949), and nephew, Charles Harvey Sells (1980).

Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 8, 2022 at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery with Minister Cal Culpepper officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made in Richard’s honor to service organizations supporting military veterans would be most appreciated. Condolences may be sent at www.gracememorialchapel.net