Sharon Kay Rickard

October 26, 1944 – August 30, 2025

Sharon Kay Rickard, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and servant of God, went to be with her Savior on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at the age of 80 years old. The daughter of Luther and Ruth Jordan, she was born on October 26, 1944, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She grew up in Burden, Kansas with her brother, Ron Jordan, creating many memories on the family's farm that she often loved to recount. She graduated from Burden High School at the early age of 15 and attended Kansas State Teacher's College.

She began her career as a histologist at Newton Memorial Hospital in Winfield, Kansas, where she met her best friend who was to become her one love and life-long companion of 56 years, Robert "Bob" Rickard. They were married on June 21, 1969 at the Burden First Baptist Church, where Sharon had grown up in her faith and love for the Lord. They then moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where they were blessed with a daughter, Shawna. After moving to Salina, Kansas, Sharon decided to dedicate her all to being an amazing wife and mom. She served in every way she could—at church, in the local school, and in the community––and is remembered by many as a gracious host who drew people together.

When the family moved to Moore, Oklahoma, Sharon returned to work and served many years as a special education paraprofessional and was instrumental in developing a program for providing training in occupational and life skills for special education students. She especially enjoyed helping her students participate in Special Olympics and poured her love, energy, and creativity into making sure each of them knew that he or she was loved, valued, and capable.

More than anything, Sharon enjoyed being a mom, grandma, and aunt. Nothing could keep her from being at every special moment in the lives of her daughter and grandchildren, always ready with words of encouragement and a hug. Her greatest joy was found in sharing these moments with Bob and serving her family—forming a family clown ministry, taking grandkids to piano lessons and other activities, helping with school, hosting family dinners, having the grandkids at her house for the weekend—whatever she could do to be a blessing. She passed on her love of music and crafting to her daughter and grandchildren. She loved spending time with her nieces and nephews as well, often having them stay for summer visits and enjoying their close relationships throughout her life.

Her uncompromising faith and her generous, welcoming, boundless love for others touched the lives of many, and she will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.

Sharon was preceded in death by:

her parents, Luther and Ruth Jordan;

her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harold and Margaret Rickard;

and her brother, Ron Jordan.

Sharon leaves wonderful memories with those who survive:

her loving husband of 56 joy-filled years, Bob Rickard;

her daughter and son-in-law, Shawna and Mac McMurry;

her six grandchildren, Jade, Kaelyn, Annaliese, Audriella, Liam, and Adeline McMurry; her sister-in-law, Linda Jordan;

her nieces and nephews, Troy Jordan and his wife Sandi, Rhonda Kessinger and her husband Loren, Denise Liston and her husband Zane, and Vince Jordan and his wife Jen;

as well as many great-nieces, great nephews and many dear friends.

Viewing and visitation will be held at Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary, 6934 S Western Ave, OKC, OK 73139 from 4-8 PM on Saturday and 12-8 PM Sunday, with the family present to greet friends from 3-5 PM Sunday at the funeral home. Services to celebrate and honor her life will be held 11:00 AM Monday, September 8, 2025 at the South Colonial Chapel of Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary, 6934 S Western Ave, OKC, OK 73139. Graveside services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at the Burden Cemetery, 23499 102nd Road, Burden, Kansas, 67019.

Donations can be made to the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief or the Christian Appalachian Project.