Richard Arnold Ovitt, age 87, of Rolla, formerly of Dixon and Vienna, was born January 17, 1936, in Corinth, New York, a son of Frank L. and Lillian (Dow) Ovitt, and passed from this life Sunday, July 9, 2023, at Phelps Health, Rolla.

In 1953, Richard entered active federal service in the United States Navy Reserve, in June of 1954 he joined the United States 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 United States Army. While in the United States 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 Lenard 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. A man of excellent character, Richard's "Honorable Discharge" is a testimony of selfless and faithful service to his country.

He was united in marriage November 28, 1987, in St. Robert, to Dora Joanne Singleton.

After his military career, Richard was employed as a meat cutter at the IGA, Dixon locker plant. He enjoyed being outdoors, whether he was mowing the grass, fishing, especially trout fishing, or gardening.  Richard volunteered his time for bus ministry for the First Baptist Church, Waynesville, and Shepard Baptist Church, Dixon.

Those left to mourn and cherish the memory of Richard A. Ovitt are:  His devoted wife of 36 years, Joanne, of the home near Rolla; his 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, Brenda (John) Eickhorst of Vienna; his grandchildren, Alicia (Josh) Lehmen, Angela (Rocco) Long, Adrianna (Brandon) Banzet, Alydia (Michael) Farnell, Josiah Goodman, Amylia (Matt) Kostelnik, Olivia Hayes, Jeremy (Emily) Miller, Kayla (Austin) Elder, Tyler Miller, Kyle Miller, Loren Schlichting, Ross Schlichting, Kate Schlichting, Richard Ovitt III, Ashley Ovitt, Jordan (Faith) Eickhorst, and C.J. (Dezarae) Eickhorst; great grandchildren, Theodore, Calvin, Gwendolyn, Lincoln, Franklin, Acelin, Roslyn, Jacqueline, Jared, Dawn, Fern, Adelaine, Graham, Jett, Emric, Wrenlee, Connor, Anson, Caden, and one on the way in August 2023; brother, Don (Janet) Briner of Corinth, New York; mother-in-law, Laveda (Cunningham) Singleton; brothers-in-law, Ike Singleton of Indiana, Walter (Marylea) Singleton, and Ken (Barbara) Singleton, both of Vienna; sister-in-law, Bernis (Bill) Hutcheson of Oregon; his special pets, Sammy, and Chika; and many other extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank; his mother, Lillian; one brother, Frank Ovitt II; and his father-in-law, Bozie Singleton.

Visitation for Mr. Richard A. Ovitt will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 12, 2023, and 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 13, 2023, with his funeral service following at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Kenneth Singleton and Rev. Karl Lewis officiating.

Interment with full military honors will be in Rader Cemetery, near Vienna, under the direction of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna. A military honors team will be serving as pallbearers for Mr. Ovitt. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard A. Ovitt II, Jerry Goodman, Trevor Hayes, Joey Miller, John Eickhorst, Josh Lehmen, Rocco Long, Brandon Banzet, Michael Farnell, Josiah Goodman, Matt Kostelnik, Jeremy Miller, Austin Elder, Tyler Miller, Kyle Miller, Ross Schlichting, Richard Ovitt III, Jordan Eickhorst, C.J. Eickhorst.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Richard A. Ovitt are suggested to the Rader Cemetery perpetual care fund with envelopes available the day of his service or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, Mo 65582.

Online condolences may be shared with the family of Mr. Richard A. Ovitt at www.birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com