C Richard Danel

Richard Danel "Whispering' Richard" at age 83 passed from this life on Monday, August 29, 2016, at home in Stillwater, after fighting for some time with various heart related illnesses. He was born August 2,1933, in Rocky Point, OK, to Logan and Lilly (Cherry) Danel, He was lovingly raised as "the baby" of a large family on a farm where he learned coping skills early and applied them well throughout his life. Four sisters and two brothers helped form his view of the world and make him who he became. Richard attended Lutie Elementary School, Panola High School, Tulsa Barber College, Eastern OK A&M College in Wilburton, and OA&M (OSU). He enjoyed each step of the way and continued to learn from the people he met and the things he did. After high school, at age 18, he married his childhood sweetheart in Lutie, OK and 2 years later, in 1954, they moved to Stillwater to complete Bachelor degrees. They stayed in Stillwater making it their home. He is survived by his wife, Dot, of the home, two daughters, Dana Danel Bickford of St. Pete Beach, FL, and Tamera Danel of Stillwater, four grandchildren, Davin Bickford and wife Allison, Omaha NE, Chelsea Bickford of St. Pete Beach, FL, Teague Bickford and wife Cindy, Enid, OK, and Charles-Robert Danel, Stillwater, and 5 great-grandchildren, Jaden, Kiala of FL, Harper and Grace of NE and Eli of Enid. He is also survived by one sister, Mattie Stout and husband Jim of Kansas City, KS, and a sister-in-law Shelva Danel of Jacksonville, TX and numerous nieces and nephews and relatives and dear friends, all of whom he loved very much. He is preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, Harly, Grace, Joyce, Donna and Joe. A "gathering" of Richard's friends and family will be on Wednesday, August 31st at First Baptist Church, 701 S Duncan, Stillwater, OK, 74074 starting at 11:00 a.m. We hope you will join us for this. You will have opportunity to visit and share with each other. Richard loved you all!!! The "Danel Family Endowed Scholarship" through OSU Foundation, is available and Richard would be honored if you choose to contribute to this cause. OSU was near and dear to his heart as was helping and encouraging students to enroll, attend and stay at OSU. These scholarships are to help people from southeastern Oklahoma come to OSU for their education. The following is a Stillwater Newspress article published August 29, 2016. Friends remember local legend Whisperin’ Richard Danel “He left his mark on Stillwater” Michelle Charles [email protected] Aug 29, 2016 Stillwater resident Dan Armstrong is shown getting a haircut in 2012 from Whisperin'" Richard Danel at Varsity Barbershop. Danel, who died Monday, was known for his soft-spoken ways, his love of Oklahoma State University and his jokes, often delivered with a punch to the shoulder to mark the punchline. “He bruised countless shoulders,” regular client and friend Clint Metcalf said. Richard Danel and former Oklahoma State University Men’s Basketball coach Eddie Sutton have shared a special friendship for more than 50 years. The two met as students in 1955 when Danel cut Sutton’s hair for the first time. Richard and his wife Dot Danel shared a quiet moment together at home recently, looking out over their pond. “They had one of the greatest relationships I’ve ever seen,” their friend Larry Reece said. Richard and Dot Danel met as children and were married 64 years. Whisperin’ Richard Danel was smiling in this 2010 photo as he showed some of the sports memorabilia decorating his barber shop across from the Oklahoma State University campus. Varsity Barber Shop was a Campus Corner institution for 57 years until Danel’s retirement April 1. A memorial service will be held for Danel 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, 701 S. Duncan St. Clint Metcalf was one of the friends who helped Whisperin' Richard Danel clear out 57 years worth of memories when Varsity Barber at Campus Corner closed April 1. Metcalf says Danel cut his hair for 21 years and gave all three of his children their first haircuts. Now he can’t bring himself to find another regular barber. Metcalf calls Danel, who died Monday morning, “an icon” who knew everyone in town. Provided For a soft-spoken man, Whisperin’ Richard Danel left a big mark on Stillwater. Sometimes literally, as he delivered a friendly punch to the shoulder to emphasize the punchline of one of his many jokes. “He bruised countless shoulders,” friend and client Clint Metcalf said. The man Metcalf describes as “an icon” who knew everyone in town, died Monday morning, prompting an outpouring of sympathy for his friends and family and a flood of memories. Many people felt compelled to share memories of the man who always had a smile, a wink and a joke to share with them. “If anyone went in there one time, they were his friend,” Metcalf said. A plaque mounted on the brick wall of the Campus Corner building where he operated Varsity Barbershop for 57 years describes Danel as “Barber – Friend – Storyteller – OSU Fan.” His friends confirm he was all of those things, but to wife Dot and daughters Tamera Danel and Dana Bickford he was their loving husband and father. Richard and Dot met as small children and Richard used to tell people she was his sweetheart from the age of four. They began dating when they were juniors in high school and went on to to be married for 64 years. “He was the true essence of the word “gentleman,” Tamera said. “Dad and Mom’s relationship almost set the expectation too high.” She says he also had high expectations for his children, and she’s glad he cared enough to set the bar high. Richard and Dot moved to Stillwater to attend Oklahoma A&M in 1954 and Richard was a passionate OSU supporter from that point on. Still, he gave his daughters a choice. “We were told we could go (to school) anywhere except that school down south with the crimson and cream,” Tamera said laughing. Just as Danel was known for making anyone who came into his shop feel like a friend, he was surrounded by friends and family to the end. A group of longtime and trusted friends gathered to help him clear out more than half a century of OSU memorabilia when he closed the shop April 1. “That was like a museum in there… It was like stepping back in time,” friend Larry Reece said. “… We had a great time that day. It turned into a going away party. There were people wrapped around the block (to say goodbye).” Metcalf says that corner will never be the same. Danel donated much of his memorabilia, which includes many autographed photos, to the university. Reece’s personal favorite is an autographed photo from Coach “Bum” Phillips inscribed “To a good friend and a fair barber.” Richard gave it to him and it now hangs in his office at the university. Another of those longtime and trusted friends has been in Danel’s life even longer than most. He and Richard shared a special bond that began in 1955 when Richard cut Eddie Sutton’s hair for the first time. Over the years they became best friends. Sutton was in the shop on its last day and he continued to be there for his friend, coming from Tulsa to visit Danel in the hospital when he became ill. “Coach Sutton came to see Dad every day for two weeks while he was in the hospital,” Tamera said. “Sometimes he would just sit there and hold his hand.” As Danel weakened, Sutton reminded him basketball season would be here soon and said he hoped they could be court side together, side by side in their wheelchairs. Tamera says Richard was in no hurry to leave Dot’s side but by the end he had made peace with moving on. Reece saw the same thing. “I have never seen anyone more at peace,” he said. “When I went to see him the last time I said, ‘Dot says you’re ready to go’ and he said, ‘I’m ready but I hate to miss the first football game.’" Whisperin’ Richard Danel wasn’t a collegiate athlete. He didn’t play a single down or make a single goal in his time at OSU. But he didn’t need to do that to make an impact. “He’ll go down as a Stillwater and OSU legend,” Reece said. “He was part of the fabric that makes Stillwater what it is.”