Richard "Dick" Brian Upton

Richard (Dick) Brian Upton, 92, of Weatherford, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Dick was born on September 9, 1930 to Tom and Julia Upton in San Mateo, California. He often spoke fondly of his amazing childhood memories being raised on his beloved Grandfather Guillermo Vega and Grandmother Primativa Vega’s farm in Palo Alto, California. Dick proudly served in the United States of America Airforce. He was recognized for his assignment and leadership position crew chief on a B-29 in the Korean war of the 1st Bombardment Squadron. During that time, he received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He graduated from Spartan Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was honorably discharged in 1954. Kickstarting his career, he served 37 years with American Airlines “And then it happens…..One day you wake up and you’re in this place. You’re in this place where everything feels right. Your heart is calm. Your soul is lit. Your thoughts are positive. Your vision is clear. You’re at peace, at peace with where you’ve been, at peace with what you’ve been through and at peace with where you’re headed”. This final chapter and longest run was Dick’s association with Harley Davidsons and all the places and friends along the ride. He most loved and appreciated the camaraderie among his friends. He has been honored, admired, and loved without conditions; always trust and loyalty. I’m sorry, friends, that I can’t be with you here today. If you’re gathered reading this, it means I’ve passed away. But if I were there, I’d tell you not to shed a tear or frown. I’d tell you just to simply say, “Another Biker has gone down.” If I were there, I’d tell you I have no more pain or strife, That I loved my friends and family, and I had a wonderful life. If I were there, I’d tell you how I loved the small blue highways, I loved the curving mountain roads, and I loved to ride the back-road byways. I loved to be ‘in the wind’. I loved when that engine rumbled, And the biker friends who rode with me, would help me when I stumbled. You are amongst my dearest friends, brothers and sisters of the road, We’ve travelled many miles together, shared many heavy loads. If I could be there with you, we’d laugh and share memories from our past, And this gathering would be just one more tale, another story, not our last. But today I can’t be with you, except in heart and memory stores. So, you’ll have to laugh, remember the past, and then let your engines roar! Please smile and do not shed a tear, wipe away that silly frown, I’m off upon that final ride, another Biker who has gone down. Richard Brian Upton was predeceased by his parents, Tom and Julia Upton; daughter, Christy; and son, Richard Upton, Jr. He is survived by his son, John Upton (Marie); daughter, Cande Upton Darling (Nelson); sister, Barbara Upton Hourigan; grandchildren, Leisa Darling Owens (Ryan), Josh Upton (Cara), and Jessica Upton; great-grandchildren, Gabriel Owens, Jax Upton, Ava Bolyer, Brian Bolyer, and Beaux Bolyer; nieces and nephews, Teresa Lucas, Patricia Held, Dan Held, and Tom Held; and great niece, Tara Lucas. Memorial Service: 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2023 in White’s Chapel of Memories, 130 Houston Ave., Weatherford. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick’s memory to Wounded Warriors. Funeral arrangements will be by White’s Funeral Home, Weatherford, Texas. They will have a site that can be visited by all in remembrance of Dad, www.whitesfuneral.com