Reckie Dwayne Tarkington a resident of Dewar passed away Monday, July 17th, 2017 in Tulsa at the age of 60. He was born September 15, 1956 in Heber Springs, Arkansas To Chester Tarkington and Tennie (Davis) Tarkington. Rick attended school at Dewar Public Schools with the Class of 1976.
He was a jack of all trades, working in a nursing home as a maintenance man, worked as a forklift operator, metal foundry worker, did carpet & tile, structural cleaning and remodeling. He drove a truck for Coca-Cola and stocked shelves for IGA. He owned and operated a daycare, worked as a shop assistant in his son's business, Tarkington Service Center, worked as a ranch hand mending fences and feeding cattle. He built boats and worked at a juice factory for Gatorade. All of these places he worked hard until a life dream of owning and working a restaurant where people could enjoy a nice meal while being ministered to by Christian music and the Word of God. To say he had his hand in a little of everything is an understatement. But make no mistake, all he did, he did to the best of his abilities and unto the Lord.
He was a member of the Dewar United Pentecostal church where he and Mona attended faithfully. He and Mona were married April 24, 2010 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents Chester & Tennie Tarkington, his nephew Ronald Dean Tarkington & a sister-in-law, Ruth Tarkington.
He is survived by his wife, Mona Tarkington of the home;
Son, Ricky Tarkington & wife Lori of Okmulgee
Son, Jeff Tarkington & wife Brandy of Checotah;
Daughter, Jentry Pye & husband Shawn of Henryetta;
Daughter, Christy Jeffcoat & husband Jonathan of Henryetta;
Daughter, Danielle Helm of Dewar;
Son, Daniel Tarkington & wife Jamie of Checotah;
Son Jordan Tarkington & wife Janie of Muskogee;
Grandchildren, Hanna Tarkington, Noah Tarkington, Haily Terry & husband Dylan, Anthony Tarkington, Ruth Tarkington, Luke Tarkington & wife Katie, Kyle Tarkington, Matthew Pye, Brandon Pye, Jacob Pye, Trystan Jeffcoat, Chrystan Jeffcoat, Gabriel Helm, Michael Helm, & RayLynn Tarkington;
Two great grandchildren, Paisley Tarkington & MaKenzi Terry;
Brother, Vincent Tarkington of Denison, Texas;
Sister, Evelyn Brown & husband Bill of Dewar;
Father-in-law, Bob Britt of Dewar;
Also by a host of nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives.
Pallbearers will be grandson, Kyle Tarkington, Anthony Tarkington, Luke Tarkington, Matthew Pye, Brandon Pye, & Glen Rame. Honorary pallbearers will be additional grandsons, granddaughters and great grandchildren.
Viewing will be on Wednesday from 2 until 8pm at Integrity Funeral Service.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 20, 2017 at the Dewar United Pentecostal Church in Dewar, Oklahoma with Rev. Matthew Martin officiating. Interment will follow at New Sonora Cemetery under direction of Integrity Funeral Service.