Richard "Rick" Fidler, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend peacefully entered Heaven on September 3, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 74, following a courageous 10-year journey with Parkinson's disease. He's was known by many names - Ricky, Dad, Pops, El Toro, and "Sweetheart" - but whatever name he was called, he was deeply loved.

Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Rick was the middle son of Betty Jean and Leonard Lee Fidler. He and his two brothers spent much of their early years fishing, floating, and making memories with family and friends on the Illinois River. After Rick graduated from Muskogee High School in 1969, his parents purchased the family's beloved campsite, later known as Fidler's Bend, a place that remains deeply woven in the family's story.

Rick moved to Tulsa, where he worked at Merrill Lynch and attended the University of Tulsa. It was during this time that he met and married the love of his life, Kay. She loves telling the story of spotting him one summer day downtown and knowing instantly that it was love at first sight. As Kay would say, "He never had a chance." They were married on August 18, 1973, in the Rose Chapel at Boston Avenue Methodist Church in Tulsa.

The couple later moved to Norman where Rick graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a business degree in finance. Those years were filled with treasured friendships, unforgettable memories, and a lifelong love of OU football.

Rick and Kay eventually returned to Tulsa, where Rick built a successful career as a trusted wealth management advisor. He formed deep and lasting relationships with clients and colleagues, always committed to serving others with integrity and care. Not a day passed without CNBC and a full stock market report being shared with the closest bystander.

Together, Rick and Kay built a beautiful family with three spirited boys, all of whom grew up loving their fishing and floating adventures at Fidler's Bend. Rick taught his sons that faith, family, and friendship were the foundations of a meaningful life. And then there were sports. He coached his boys in soccer, football, and baseball, often juggling two or three practices in a single evening because their ages were so close. He loved every minute of it!

Rick also built many treasured friendships through racquetball, squash, golf, skiing, shared evenings with great buddies fishing and cooking over the campfire, and of course his beloved monthly poker game, which he enjoyed with close friends for more than 30 years. Whether on the river, on the court, on the golf course, or around the poker table, Rick brought love, laughter, and the hardheaded Fidler attitude to the people around him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Kay, with whom he shared 53 years of marriage; his oldest son and daughter-in-law, Beau and Candice Fidler, and their daughters, Ailey and Marin, of Dallas, Texas; his second son, Josh Fidler, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and his children, Bennett, Bauer, and Baron; and his youngest son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Madeleine Fidler, and their children, Hadlie and Harrison, of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by his younger brother and sister-in-law, Randie and Saundra Fidler of St. Louis, Missouri, and his sister-in-law, Linda Fidler of Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Leonard Fidler, and his older brother, Ron Fidler.

Anyone who knew Rick saw a man of great mental and physical strength, with a loving heart. This alone was displayed through his battle with Parkinson's disease as he faced everyday challenges with positivity and patience, characteristics adopted from his mother, Betty.. Despite his immense amounts of mental strength and persistence, he was no match for his biggest temptations: ice cream, popcorn, and the glistening glass bowl of M&Ms on the bar counter. All of Rick's family and friends could also recall his vast, miscellaneous passions including: "Griswold Family-style" vacations, Steamboat winters, California sunsets, and taking the Jag for an evening spin.

Rick approached his battle with Parkinson's Disease with remarkable courage and openness. He remained receptive to new treatments, techniques, and medicine, including participation in a Duke University clinical trial under the supervision of Dr. Kevin Klos.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oklahoma Parkinson's Alliance in Honor of Richard D. Fidler

A PRIVATE CELEBRATION OF LIFE HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.