Reverend Samuel Richard Marion, Jr.
1953-2017
Reverend Samuel Richard (Rik) Marion, Jr, 64, died on June 7, 2017. Rik passed away due to complications from a heart condition. He was born on April 9, 1953 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Dick and Freda Marion. Rik was a beloved father, brother, grandfather, and uncle. Rik grew up in Bartlesville and graduated from College High School in 1971. He was an avid musician and served as captain of the band his senior year. He received his Bachelor of Science in broadcast journalism from Oklahoma State University. He remained a loyal Pokes fan and regularly attended OSU sporting events throughout his life. Rik found his calling in ministry and received his Masters in Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. He went on to serve in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church. Over the years he has pastored at Nicoma Park, Vici, Enid, Watonga, Henryetta, and Oklahoma City. While serving in Nicoma Park, he met his wife of 24 years.
Rik is preceded in death by his wife, Linda Marion and his parents, Dick and Freda Marion.
Rik is survived by his children, Rhonda (Gary) Sloup, Travis Barrett, and Mariah (Michael) Flynn; grandchildren, Rileigh, Mary, Amanda, Bradyn, and Hannah Sloup, Noah Lane, Harvey and Apollo Flynn; and one great grandchild, Mason Sloup; brother, Mike (Cindy) Marion; two nieces, Heidi (Patrick) Gordon and Kate (Tyler) Hovis; one nephew, Josh (Renee) Marion; and too many friends to count. Rik leaves lasting memories with all those he has met and will be greatly missed.
A celebration of Rik’s life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Mosaic United Methodist Church which meets at Mayfair Heights United Methodist Church located at 3131 NW 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73112. Rev. Scott Spencer will officiate the service and guests will have an opportunity to share favorite and special memories of Rik. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations honoring Rik may be made to Mosaic Methodist Church at 102 East Hefner Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73114.
Rik & Linda were very special to our family. We were blessed to have him at my folks church in Enid, then our church in Watonga. He & Linda always held a very special place in my heart all these
years. I always felt Rik’s broken heart from loosing Linda. She was a good friend also. Mariah was my oldest daughters age, as they were friends also while they lived in Watonga. Rik touched so many lives and will be missed by many. He was very talented and good at what he did for sure. Touched and Blessed by God. Our thoughts & prayers are with all his family & friends alike. Hugs & love to you all.
I always knew Rik was special and since his passing, so many have written about his love and compassion for the Lord and people. You lived a great life Rik and leave behind children/grandchildren, family and friends. Thank you for all that you did while on this earth. May you rest in peace and take your place in heaven with your wife, family and friends and certainly our Lord. May God bless your family and watch over them.
I knew Rik when he pastored at Willow View UMC in Enid. I was his church secretary for a short time. His granddaughter, Rileigh, and my daughter, Rebecca, were the same age. Rik will be missed by many. He was a loving and caring man. He is now in heaven with his wonderful wife, Linda.
Rik was one of the most kind and humble people I have known. His messages were always of love, compassion, grace, forgiveness and hope. He lived by his message. He had a big impact on four troubled teens who I took to church. They loved Rik and continued church because of his compassion and hope for them. He we be missed by many and many will carry on his message because of his example.
We met Rik when he was minister in Watonga. Rik taught a Bible Study class that my husband attended & still says he learned more about the Bible from Rik than from anyone else & now he teaches a Sunday School class, thanks to Rik. I got so much from Rik’s sermons & even drove to OKC a few times to hear him after he left Watonga. Rik was a great man in so many ways & will be greatly missed, but I know he is happy to be reunited with the love of his life, Linda.
Out thoughts & prayers are with his family.
Mike & Kathy House
Pastor Rik was pastor at Capitol Hill Methodist when I became part-time worship leader. A friendship grew over the years. I told him once, to his great surprise, that I believed he was one of the most Godly man I had met. To this day he still held my highest esteem. RIP my friend. Joe Smithers
I enjoy and looked forward to Rik’s FB messages…we had been friends on fb for a couple of years…I got such great inspiration from Rik and his sharing his love of God…I will greatly miss his friendship. I always enjoyed his pictures and family stories…he loved his family very much and was very proud to share his picture’s of his family…RIP with your beloved Linda, Rik??
Rik and I were seminary roommates at Perkins School of Theology on the campus of SMU in Dallas. We were both Oklahomans and coincidentally both of us had girlfriends up at OSU at the time. We shared many times as roommates and traveling up I-35 to Stillwater. He had a dry, witty sense of humor. He approached life from a reflective, thoughtful perspective and I learned much from his wisdom. I also knew Rik’s parents well since they were members of the church in Bartlesville where my father was Pastor. They were such great people, and I say it with all sincerity. Rik was serious in his theological studies and it was a time of stress for us both as we shared our academic life. I love Rik. And he made a calming and lasting influence on my person.
Rik was my special friend since High School. We played music together, shared our lives ups and downs and talked about Jesus. I really don’t have the words that express all he means to me. He was brilliant, loving, and fun. I know he is happy now to be with Kinda again. I sure miss him.