Jan. 25, 1946 – June 1, 2024
Richmond Colbert, 78, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2024, at his home. Richmond was born on Jan. 25, 1946, in Checotah, Oklahoma, the son of Charley Barnett and Leona (Marshall) Colbert. He graduated from Eufaula High School in 1965. He then went to Haskell Indian College in Lawrence, Kansas.
Richmond was drafted in the United States Army in 1967. He was sent to the Vietnam Conflict in January of 1968 – March 1969. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist 4.
Richmond went to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in January of 1977. He worked there for 28 years, retiring on June 30, 2005.
Richmond met the love of his life, Elaine Purdom, and married her on Oct. 27, 1977 at the Enterprise Baptist Church. She said yes because he got her ingrown toenails out. They were happily married for forty-six years.
Survivors include: his wife, Elaine, of the home; daughters Mennie and Jason Cantwell and Jodie Colbert and Ursula Washington all of Muskogee; grandchildren, Kelsey & Chase Carpenter of Henryetta, Blake & Kenzie Cantwell of Checotah, Emily Cantwell and Myles Jones, Jaiden Cantwell and Logan Villegas of Muskogee; great grandson, who put a smile on his face even on days when he felt the worst, Hayden Darell Cantwell; and best buddy Cooper J; brothers, Gary and Barbara Colbert of Norman, Dr. Charles Bo Colbert of Eufaula, Rev. Allan and Sherry Colbert of Muskogee, Charlene Colbert of Eufaula and brother in law, Rocky and Karen Purdom of Quinton and a host of other family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Leona Colbert and a sister, Phyllis “Sis” Colbert.
A wake service was held Tuesday, June 4, 2024, from 6-8 p.m., at the Tuskegee Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at the Tuskegee Baptist Church with Randy Colbert and Cloyd “Sonny” Harjo, Jr. officiating.
Burial followed at the Mountain Home Cemetery under the direction of Hunn, Black & Merritt Funeral Home & Crematory.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hbmfuneralhome. com.
