Richard Arnold Ovitt, age 87, of Rolla, formerly of Dixon and Vienna, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2023, at Phelps Health, Rolla.
He was born Jan. 17, 1936, to Frank L. and Lillian (Dow) Ovitt in Corinth, N.Y.
In 1953, Richard entered active federal service in the U.S. Navy Reserve, in June of 1954 he joined the U.S. Air Force, which he served in for four years as an Aero Medical Technician. Richard then continued his military career in 1959 by joining the U.S. Army. While in the U.S. Army, Richard served as a paratrooper, worked in the paraplegic ward, pediatric ward, and presidential suite at the Walter Reed Medical Center. He was top one of three in his “Charlie” school class, and while serving in Japan, Richard was a Chief Ward Master. In 1969, Richard was stationed back in the United States where he attended Senior Non-Commission Officer school, prior to serving as a medic in Vietnam. Then in 1970, he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, as a First Sergeant in the 135th EVAC Hospital and then changed to the 93rd EVAC Hospital. After serving in the United States Military for 26 years, Richard was honorably discharged at Fort Leonard Wood in 1980.
He was united in marriage to Dora Joanne Singleton, Nov. 28, 1987, in St. Robert.
After his military career, Richard was employed as a meat cutter at the IGA, Dixon locker plant. Richard volunteered his time for bus ministry for the First Baptist Church, Waynesville, and Shepard Baptist Church, Dixon.
He was preceded in death by parents, Frank and Lillian; brother, Frank Ovitt II; and father-in-law, Bozie Singleton.
He is survived by wife of 36 years, Joanne, of the home near Rolla; children, Jacqueline (Jerry) Goodman of Dixon, Donnella (Trevor) Hayes of Rocky Mountain, Bobbie (Joey) Miller of Dixon, Lorie Ovitt of Jefferson City, Richard A. Ovitt II of Dixon, and Brenda (John) Eickhorst of Vienna; 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and one on the way in August 2023; brother, Don (Janet) Briner of Corinth, N.Y.; mother-in-law, Laveda (Cunningham) Singleton; brothers-in-law, Ike Singleton of Indiana, Walter (Marylea) Singleton, and Ken (Barbara) Singleton, both of Vienna; and sister-in-law, Bernis (Bill) Hutcheson of Oregon.
Visitation will be held Wednesday (today), July 12, from 5–7 p.m., and Thursday, July 13, from 1–2 p.m., with funeral services following with Rev. Kenneth Singleton and Rev. Karl Lewis officiating. Interment with full military honors will be in Rader Cemetery, near Vienna.
Memorials suggested to the Rader Cemetery perpetual care fund.
Arrangements entrusted to Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna.
