Richard Kirk Southerland,

Richard Kirk Southerland, 55, of Weimar, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 5.

He was born on Sept. 8, 1963 in Perryton to Eldon James and Vivian Pauline Southerland.

He attended Perryton ISD, where he participated in FFA and played many sports.

After graduating, Richard worked in the oil field industry. He was a jack of all trades, he worked as an electrician with Langhamer Electric, and maintenance with J Bar B Foods. He sustained several injuries while working in the oil field, and in 2015 filed for disability.

Richard was a registered member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and he was very proud of his Choctaw heritage. He was the grandson of Katherine Gardner Fulton, who was one of the original enrollees of the Choctaw Nation.

Richard first met the love of his life, Sara Prihoda, in 2000, but life led them in different directions. They reconnected after Sara lost her husband in 2009.

Richard had nothing but love for Sara and her four children, and with that love, they added the addition of daughter, Hunter Southerland, and son, Witten Southerland. Richard and Sara were united in marriage on March 28, 2014 in Schulenburg.

Richard, known to many as “Papa Bear” could talk to just about anyone. There was never a stranger that he met, that wouldn’t later be part of the family. With his personality, Papa Bear had the opportunity to mentor to young men and women, listening and not place judgement on them. With this, he acquired many more sons and daughters, throughout the years.

Richard is survived by his wife, Sara Prihoda Southerland of Weimar; sons, Kurtis Southerland, Jacob Norrell, Zachary Norrell and Witten Southerland; daughters, Shelby Southerland Guzman and husband Ubaldo of Austin, Caitlin Norrell, Annabella Norrell, Hunter Southerland and Taylor Southerland; and grandchildren, Kolton Southerland and Gabriela Guzman. He is also survived by brothers, Paul Southerland and Joe Southerland; sister, Kathy McMillan; numerous nieces, nephew, cousins; and extended children and grandchildren, including Greg Ibarra and Raul Olvera. His mother-in-law and father-in-law, James and Carolyn Prihoda of High Hill, along with his wife’s extended family, also survive him.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; brothers, Jackie Eugene Southerland, Eldon Wayne Southerland and Adrian Leroy Southerland; and one nephew, Christopher Southerland.

A Celebration of Life will be planned for Sunday, June 9 in Dubina.