Hefton, a great man

During my career I have had three strong and successful mentors in this business. They are J. Leland Gourley, Richard (Dick) R. Hefton and Ed Livermore, Jr. We lost Leland in 2012 and just last week, we lost Dick Hefton. It was sad for me, but we had plenty to celebrate about his life.

The General as we liked to call him guided me for over 45 years on how to operate not only in the newspaper world but also in business and life. There were times he set me straight when I needed it. He also encouraged and supported us during challenging times. The General’s advice was always direct but spot on and just what needed to be said. He always operated with a tremendous sense of humor and left the room laughing.

During meetings with others, I would hear him refer to “setting your hair on fire.” I never knew what that meant until I got in business for myself. I asked my mentor Leland Gourey what that meant and he said they send generals to school to know those things. He and Hefton were great friends along with Livermore. The combination of those three made for more knowledge of community journalism than any other group in the country. They were respected, loved and even feared by a few.

I have many stories about The General but really too many to tell and probably should not share some of them. Like so many others, the lessons he taught me will live on for years to come. His greatest role for me was that of teacher. He offered what he knew too so many.

Below is his obituary. You can see what an incredible guy he was and why so many folks referred to him as a great man. He will be missed.

Obituary Dick Hefton

Brigadier General (Ret) Richard Ramsey Hefton passed away October 28, 2025, comfortably at his home at the age of ninety-five. He was born February 6, 1930, in Muskogee to Thomas M. and Erlynn R. Hefton. General Hefton was keen of wit, articulate and full of knowledge right up until his Tuesday death. Although weakened, he was full of spirit and right down talkative. The Dick Hefton grin never left. He faced death as he had lived life, with confidence and candor.

He inherited his entrepreneurial spirit, salesmanship skills and community service from his parents. These traits were evident in his ability to investigate, share facts and stand up for his community through the freedom of journalism. In addition, his involvement in important community decisions and directions were a testament to his service and commitment to the betterment of our state. The State of Oklahoma was of vital importance to him as his Oklahoma lineage extends for five generations. He was inducted into the First Families of the Twin Territories for both the Indian and Oklahoma Territories. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather.

In 1992, Hefton married Rhonda Hefton. Through thick and thin, the two shared 33 years of domestic and world travel, family, food, fun and faith in their love of Christ through their service to Westminster Presbyterian Church. She remained by his side and provided loving care until his death.

Hefton graduated from Muskogee High School in 1948 and the University of Oklahoma in 1957 with a degree in Business Management. At OU, he joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and was a lifetime supporter. It was there that he developed his lifetime love of Oklahoma football and was a season ticket holder for more than 50 years. He loved the pursuit of knowledge and attended Tennessee Tech, the American Press Institute and Columbia University.

General Hefton had a genuine lifelong love of flying and owned his own Cardinal Airplane for many years. He began his military career by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force on January 3,1951 and served five years on active duty where, after completing Aviation Cadet training, he graduated from the USAF Fighter Weapons School, Nellis, AFB, NV, he advanced to flight commander, flight instructor, engineering test pilot and aircraft accident investigator.

He is rated a Command Pilot with over 5,000 flying hours in military and civilian aircraft. His tour was followed by 31 years of active service in the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. He retired from the USAF in 1990, at the time, serving as Assistant Adjutant General and Commanding General of the Oklahoma Air National Guard composed of a C-130 Airlift Wing in Oklahoma City; F-16 Fighter Wing in Tulsa; 2 Electronic Engineering Squadrons and Civil Engineering Squadrons, Aero Med Evacuation and Air Support Squadrons with some 2,500 personnel. He completed advanced studies with the Air Command and Staff College and the National Defense University. He was a qualified pilot in the following military aircraft: AT-6 C, E, F, G; L-20, C-119; Jets; T-33, F-80 A, C; F-86 Sabre E, F, H; RF-84F; FlOlA/B; RF-101C; F-100 Super Sabre F&D.

Hefton's love of the newspaper business began at an early age when he delivered newspapers for the Muskogee Phoenix. He joined the McAlester News-Capital and was promoted to President before leaving the paper to become Executive Vice President of the Journal Record newspaper in Oklahoma City. In 1976, he purchased the Oklahoma County News, Choctaw-Nicoma Park Free Press, Harrah Herald and Spencer Star from George Keyes. He later added the Midwest City Sun, Del City Sun and Sunday Sun to his newspaper ownership. The newspapers consistently earned the Sequoyah Award for the best newspaper in their division. He was active with the Oklahoma Press Association and served as president. He was inducted into the Journalism Hall of Fame in 1987.

When asked in an interview, Richard said he admired candidness, working on merit badges, driving yourself, staying curious, building better operations, playing more golf and skiing whenever you could. Hefton loved his friendships, travel, reading, card games, genealogy, history, politics, newspapers and golf to name a few. His political

savvy and reach are evidenced by the "Contract With America,” developed by U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, which was hatched in the conference room of the Midwest City Sun in 1994 as reported by American columnist and journalist Robert Novak.

But he especially loved his family, holiday traditions and the success of his children and grandchildren. He was very proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

Hefton was keen on community service and charitable giving. He served as a regent and chair of Rose State College. He was an Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow, lifetime Rotary Club member, past president of the Midwest City Chamber of Commerce, vice president of the State Chamber, past president of the Oklahoma Press Association, member of the Oklahoma Lake Redevelopment Authority, Oklahoma Panning and Resources Board, Board of Governors for Midwest Regional Medical Center, Board of Directors for the Science Museum Oklahoma, mentor of the Spark program and many leadership positions at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

We are deeply grateful for the loving care and friendship provided by Livia Laescu, Glenda Bell, and Gwen Stapps during Richard’s illness.

Richard is survived by his wife Rhonda of the home, daughter Hilarie Blaney and husband Kevin; son Sam and wife Kathy; granddaughter Jordan Dean Farhang and husband Justin; daughters Ali Justus, granddaughter Scarlet; Abby Lawrence and husband Andy and grandchildren Carsten, Andrew, Betsy and Lillian. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister MacLeone Bradley, daughter Holly Hefton and grandson, Haydn Ramsey Lawrence. Richard was fortunate to have dear friends, especially Randy Goodman and David Hudiburg who shared decades of lunches, football games, books, golf and history. General Hefton will be dearly missed by all those who had the pleasure of his intellect, his wit and his love of life.

(Ray Hibbard, publisher of Edmond Life & Leisure , may be reached for comment at ray@edmondpaper.com)