Sept. 20, 1931 – Jan. 29, 2026

Funeral services for Bert Robertson Richards, 94, of Roland, were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at the Eastside Free Will Baptist Church in Muldrow.

Burial was at Roland City Cemetery under the direction of Agent & Mallory-Martin Funeral Services, Inc.

Mr. Richards was born on Sept. 20, 1931, in Roland, to Flossie Ethel (Price) Richards and William Herbert Richards. He passed away on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Claremore.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army on Oct. 22, 1952. After basic training, he married Peggy Jordan, only days before being deployed. He served in the 45th Infantry Division with the 160th Field Artillery Battery A. He was a forward observer on the front line at the 38th Parallel who lived in a dugout in the ground. They located the enemy and reported back to Battery A Headquarters.

Mr. Richards worked as an inspector for the Oklahoma Highway Department in Sallisaw until his retirement. He also served on the Gand School Board for many years, was a proud 32nd Degree Mason, and a devoted member of the First Baptist Church in Roland.

Survivors are two sons, Mike and Deloris Richards of Roland and Paul and Kim Richards of Sallisaw; four grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Gary Richards of Roland; brother-in-law, JC Jordan of Fort Smith, Ark., and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Peggy, on Sept. 23, 2024; parents; one sister, Nancy Pyle; two brothers, Orville and JV Richards; and one daughter-in-law, Debbie Richards.

Pallbearers were Dr. Weston Choate, Jordan Richards, David Richards, Daniel Richards, Johnny Richards and Gary Lee Richards.

Honorary pallbearers were Joe Ryan, Archer Ryan, Kenny Pyle, Troy Richards, Ronnie Rogers, Myron Lockwood and Ken Clark.