Richard Ray "Rick" Selby

Richard Ray Selby, 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 23, 2026. He was born on July 10, 1949, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Chester Ray Selby and Betty C. Selby, beginning a life marked by hard work, grit, and a deep devotion to family, friends, and the cattle industry he loved.

Rick’s early years were spent moving with his family as his father worked as a hog buyer for Wilson Foods, eventually settling in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1967. During those years, Rick worked several jobs—including at a service station—and spent his free time playing bass guitar in a band.

Rick later moved his young family to southern Oklahoma, settling west of Marietta on a ranch along the Red River. Rick poured his energy and skill into ranching, but in 1981 a business opportunity drew him to Gage, Oklahoma. With the help of his brother Frank, the two built a business that would sustain them for more than four decades. Rick’s background in ranching and sales made him natural in the cattle industry, and his favorite part of the work was cattle buying.

From the late 1980s until just a few months before his death, Rick was known in nearly every sale barn across Oklahoma, North Texas, and Southwest Missouri. He was the kind of man who never met a stranger and never forgot a friend. His word meant something, and everyone who dealt with him knew that if Rick said it, he meant it. Gage Cattle and Feed became a fixture of northwest Oklahoma, with loyal customers who often stopped by simply to visit with Rick and Frank. Rick’s family remembers him not only for his toughness and work ethic, but for the sincerity beneath it. One cherished memory comes from his niece, who once, as a child, wondered aloud if Uncle Rick didn’t like her. Rick took that to heart. A day later, he walked right up to her, looked her in the eye, and said with complete sincerity, “I have loved you from the moment you were born.” She believed him—and never doubted it again. That moment captured who he truly was: gruff on the outside, but deeply loyal, attentive, and full of love for the people in his life. He remembered the little details, told unforgettable stories, and had a sense of humor that left its mark on everyone who knew him.

Life brought changes, and Rick and Barbara divorced in 1999. Soon after, he formed a close, enduring relationship with Betty Readnour, who remained an important part of his life. In his final months, Rick often spoke of the friends he had made over the years, Cattle buying was one of his greatest loves—second only to his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes memorial donations be made to the
Gage Fire Department
c/o Shaw Funeral Home
P.O. Box 276
Vici, OK 73859.