Richard Paul Hardesty

Richard (Rick) Paul Hardesty, age 65, passed into the loving hands of his Heavenly Father February 14 th , 2026. He was born on October 11 th , 1960. He was the third child born to his parents Janet Lewis Hardesty (Goddard) and Samuel Hardesty of Tulsa, OK.

Rick grew up in the Red Fork area of West Tulsa and attended Park Elementary, Clinton Middle School and Daniel Webster High School, graduating in 1979. He made many lifelong friends and met the love of his life. Rick and Jenise (Taber) met in high school and were married in 1982. In 1988 they were blessed with their first daughter, Natalie. They were blessed again in 1990 with their second child, Bailey. In 2015, Rick was promoted to Papa by his first grandson. Over the next six years he was blessed with 5 grandchildren that he cherished and spoiled.

Throughout his life he loved sports and being psychically active. He was an accomplished wrestler from early elementary and into high school. In adulthood he got his family into Tae Kwon Do where he and his wife both achieved Blackbelts and competed in tournaments. He also enjoyed going on adventures with his family. In earlier years he would take his nephews hunting and later in life he regularly took his grandkids hiking and fishing.

Professionally, he started his career in the Printing industry as a teenager at his father's print shop, Hardesty Press. He worked in his family business until the early 90's when he moved into preprinting press work, establishing his own business - Prepress Graphics - in 1998. In addition to printing, he ran many small businesses with his wife including real estate, event planning, business marketing, and landscaping. He also enjoyed volunteering with his church.

Throughout Rick's many adventures in life he made the best of any situation. He was always easy-going and loved an impromptu adventure. He liked to say, "It's not about the destination, it's about how much fun you have getting there".

He is survived by his Wife Jenise Taber Hardesty, Daughter Natalie Paige, Son in-law Kyle Paige, Daughter Bailey Downs, Son in-law Chris Downs, five Grandchildren: Ryker, Logan, Nolan, Ellis and Evelyn, sister Millie York, brothers Don and Gerald and many nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.

He was proceeded in death by his mother Janet Goddard, father Samuel Hardesty, mother-in-law Dorthula Taber, father-in-law Tommy Taber and nephew Cory Ortiz.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating in Rick's name to Oklahoma State Parks.

https://www.ospfoundation.org/membership-donate