Richard Dixon Oak Sr.

1956–2008 · Male · died at 51

How to read this page

Photos and clippings count items you can view here.
Cited or transcribed records are counted separately.
Story links lead to accounts about the person; “Mentioned in another story” marks a passing reference.
Memorial links open Find a Grave.
A “family recollection” label marks something a relative remembered, not a written record.
A military-service label rates the record of that service, not the whole life.

Sex is as recorded in the family tree. Age at death is worked out from the dates shown and may be a range or an approximation. It is left out when a date is missing or is only a “before”, “after” or “between” date, when the research has found a date Unconfirmed, when the two dates conflict, or when they would mean an age over 110.

Overview

Evelyn Dupriest Dixon Oak1932–1997Mother

Richard Dixon Oak Sr.1956–2008Margery Clarkson MacKinnon1945–2008Wife

David Clarkson Oak1988–2021Son Travis Raye Oak1982–2021Son

Explore this person's tree: ancestors Descendants

Work and livelihood

Richard worked as a logger in Maine and later at the Wyman-Gordon foundry in Northfield, according to his son Michael.

Help fill this in

Service

Cold War · Army · 1977–1979 Confirmed

Specialist 4, Chaparral missile crewman, 17 June 1977 to 21 February 1979.

DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, Richard Dixon Oak: Army, Specialist 4, 1st Battalion 82d Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; entered active service 17 Jun 1977; honorable discharge effective 21 Feb 1979; expert rifle and hand grenade; Chaparral crewman and basic airborne courses. Social Security number and street address blacked out.

In the story: Korea and the Cold War · Veterans of the family

Stories and biography

About Richard

Richard Oak's late shift at the foundry

Mentioned in other stories

These stories are about someone or something else, and name Richard Dixon Oak Sr..

Family

Parents

Mother: Evelyn Dupriest Dixon Oak 1932–1997
Likely evidence: show why
Why: Richard Sr.'s own 2008 obituary states directly: 'a son of Ivan and Evelyn (Dixon) Oak' (read on the held clipping, 2026-09-27); also predeceased by 'his mother', consistent with Evelyn's 1997 death.
Records:
- Richard D. Oak Sr.'s obituary, 2008. full obituary text, (media m57cbf395822c).
Review: assessed 09-27-2026; evidence: Image examined.
Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): The FTM import's own unassessed link. · Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean

Wife: Margery Clarkson MacKinnon 1945–2008
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Why: From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
Review: not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean

Son: David Clarkson Oak 1988–2021
Confirmed evidence: show why
Why: David's own Colorado death certificate (2021) names Richard Dixon Oak and Margery Lee Clarkson as his parents; his Texas certificate of birth, as corrected, also names Richard Dixon Oak as his father.
Records:
- Travis Raye Oak's obituary, 2021. paragraph 1 (parentage: 'the son of Richard Oak Sr., and Margery (Clarkson) MacKinnon') and paragraph 3 (survivors, naming his brothers)
Review: assessed 10-07-2026.
Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed. · Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): The FTM import's own unassessed link. · Likely (09-27-2026, prior research): Travis Raye Oak's obituary names 'David Oak of Colorado Springs, CO' among Travis's brothers, alongside their shared father Richard Oak Sr. -- the same indirect identification as Richard Jr.'s. · Likely (09-27-2026, research): Travis Raye Oak's obituary names 'David Oak of Colorado Springs, CO' among Travis's brothers, alongside their shared father Richard Oak Sr. -- the same indirect identification as Richard Jr.'s.
What the labels mean
Son: Travis Raye Oak 1982–2021
Likely evidence: show why
Why: His own obituary states he was 'the son of Richard Oak Sr., and Margery (Clarkson) MacKinnon' -- a direct, first-person-subject statement, though still a single family-authored source.
Records:
- Travis Raye Oak's obituary, 2021. paragraph 1 (parentage: 'the son of Richard Oak Sr., and Margery (Clarkson) MacKinnon') and paragraph 3 (survivors, naming his brothers)
Review: assessed 09-27-2026.
Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): The FTM import's own unassessed link; the research (case TRO) had not yet been checked against R12's subject. · Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean

Life events

Born	3 Apr 1956, Bangor, Maine Likely evidence: show why Why: His grave marker gives APR 3 1956; his 2008 obituary independently agrees and adds the place, 'born April 3, 1956, in Bangor Maine'. Two independent documents agreeing, neither a birth record itself. Records: Richard Dixon Oak Sr.'s grave marker. whole image: the inscription's three lines and the cross emblem; the photograph shows no cemetery or surroundings Richard D. Oak Sr.'s obituary, 2008. full obituary text, (media m57cbf395822c). Review: assessed 09-27-2026; evidence: Gravestone read from a photograph; Image examined. Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed. What the labels mean (the family tree records 3 APR 1956, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine, USA) Image: Texas Birth Index, the page recording Travis's own 6 February 1982 birth, naming Margery and Richard as his parents.
Died	23 Feb 2008, Enfield, New Hampshire Likely evidence: show why Why: His grave marker gives FEB 23 2008; his obituary independently agrees and adds the place, 'died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, at his home in Enfield' (Enfield, N.H., per the obituary's own dateline and his family's residence there). Two independent documents agreeing, neither a death record itself. Records: Richard Dixon Oak Sr.'s grave marker. whole image: the inscription's three lines and the cross emblem; the photograph shows no cemetery or surroundings Richard D. Oak Sr.'s obituary, 2008. full obituary text, (media m57cbf395822c). Review: assessed 09-27-2026; evidence: Gravestone read from a photograph; Image examined. Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed. What the labels mean (the family tree records 23 FEB 2008, Enfield, Grafton, New Hampshire, USA)
Also recorded as	Richard D Oak; Richard Dixon Oak
Military service	BET 17 JUN 1977 AND 21 FEB 1979, Fort Hood, Bell, Texas, USA
Military service	BET 17 JUN 1977 AND 21 FEB 1979
Military service	Served in the U.S. Army (Regular Army) from 17 June 1977 to 21 February 1979 as a specialist 4 and air defense artillery senior missile crewman (Chaparral), last assigned to Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 82d Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division; honorably discharged at Fort Hood, Texas, 17 Jun 1977 - 21 Feb 1979 Confirmed evidence: show why Why: His DD Form 214 from the National Personnel Records Center gives: Regular Army; entered active duty 17 June 1977; honorable discharge effective 21 February 1979 at Fort Hood, Texas; grade SP4 (E4, date of rank 1 August 1978); last assignment HHB, 1st Bn, 82d Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division, Forces Command; primary specialty 16P10, air defense artillery senior missile crewman (22 September 1977); net active service 1 year 8 months 5 days, no foreign or sea service; Expert (Rifle) and Expert (Hand Grenade); the Chaparral Crewman Course and the Basic Airborne Course. It agrees with the VA gravesite record (US Army) and his grave marker. His obituary's 'served two years' is a round figure; the form shows 1 year 8 months. The form places his separation at Fort Hood but does not say where he lived before or after, so no residence is inferred from it. Records: DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, Richard Dixon Oak, U.S. Army (Regular Army), effective 21 February 1979, Fort Hood, Texas. Held privately; the Social Security number and mailing address are not published. Nationwide Gravesite Locator result: OAK, RICHARD DIXON, US ARMY, born 04/03/1956, died 02/23/2008, Centre Cemetery, Danville, New Hampshire. (record page · view at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Nationwide Gravesite Locator (gravelocator.cem.va.gov)) Richard D. Oak Sr.'s obituary, 2008. full obituary text, (media m57cbf395822c). Richard Dixon Oak Sr.'s grave marker. whole image: the inscription's three lines and the cross emblem; the photograph shows no cemetery or surroundings Review: assessed 10-02-2026; evidence: Image examined; Gravestone read from a photograph. Earlier: Likely (09-27-2026, research): Obituary and grave marker only. · Confirmed (10-02-2026, research): VA Nationwide Gravesite Locator, US Army. What the labels mean
Marriage	20 MAY 1981, San saba, Texas, with Margery Clarkson MacKinnon 1945–2008
Residence	1984, Houston, Texas, USA
Residence	BET 1995 AND 2002, Northfield, New Hampshire, USA
Residence	1995, Danville, New Hampshire, USA
Residence	BET 1997 AND 1998, Tilton, New Hampshire, USA
Residence	BET 2007 AND 2008, Enfield, New Hampshire, USA
Richard D Oak Sr Obituary	25 FEB 2008, West Lebanon, New Hampshire
Burial	Centre Cemetery, Danville, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA View memorial on Find a Grave
Grave marker	A flat grave marker with a cross is inscribed with his full name, 'US Army', and the dates Apr 3 1956 and Feb 23 2008 Likely evidence: show why Why: The inscription is clearly legible on a small photograph titled 'Findagrave Richard Dixon Oak' in another member's family tree (read on the image); the wording is Confirmed as read. That the marker is his is Likely: its name and 1956-2008 dates match him, but it carries no 'Sr.' or other identifier. Who took the photograph, whether it is the Find a Grave memorial's image, and which cemetery it shows are not recorded. Records: Richard Dixon Oak Sr.'s grave marker. whole image: the inscription's three lines and the cross emblem; the photograph shows no cemetery or surroundings Review: assessed 09-25-2026; evidence: Gravestone read from a photograph. What the labels mean
Occupation	After his Army discharge, settled in Texas and later moved to New Hampshire, where he was employed by Sturm Ruger, Texas, then New Hampshire Likely evidence: show why Why: His obituary states this directly (read on the held clipping); Sturm, Ruger & Co. is a firearms manufacturer with a longstanding New Hampshire plant (Newport, N.H.), consistent with the family's other New Hampshire residences. Records: Richard D. Oak Sr.'s obituary, 2008. full obituary text, (media m57cbf395822c). Review: assessed 09-27-2026; evidence: Image examined. What the labels mean
Personal life	A passionate outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing Likely evidence: show why Why: His obituary's own words (read on the held clipping). Records: Richard D. Oak Sr.'s obituary, 2008. full obituary text, (media m57cbf395822c). Review: assessed 09-27-2026; evidence: Image examined. What the labels mean
Residence	Danville, New Hampshire, USA
Residence	Enfield
Residence	Leander, Texas, USA
Upbringing	Grew up in Danville, N.H., and attended Timberlane Regional High School, Danville, New Hampshire Likely evidence: show why Why: His 2008 obituary states this directly (read on the held clipping). Records: Richard D. Oak Sr.'s obituary, 2008. full obituary text, (media m57cbf395822c). Review: assessed 09-27-2026; evidence: Image examined. What the labels mean

Newspapers

3 newspaper clippings to view here. View them larger, one at a time.

Record images

9 record images to view here. View them larger, one at a time.

Photos & documents

Sources

View memorial on Find a Grave Memorial 257336789
A volunteer-contributed memorial page. Its dates and family links are the contributor's; the labels on this page say which ones the records support.
Texas, U.S., Marriage Index, 1824-2021 Birth, marriage and death records Citation only Birth, Event, Marriage
Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin, Texas; Texas Marriage Index, 1966-2021
Texas, Divorce Index, 1968-2014 Birth, marriage and death records Citation only Birth, Divorce, Marriage
Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin, Texas
Texas Marriage Collection, 1814-1909 and 1966-2002 Birth, marriage and death records Transcription Birth, Marriage
Social Security Death Index Birth, marriage and death records Transcription Birth, Death
Source Citation: Issue State: Massachusetts; Issue Date: 1970
Texas Marriage Collection, 1814-1909 and 1966-2002 Birth, marriage and death records Transcription Birth, Marriage
U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 1 Directories and public records Transcription Birth, Residence
U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current Burials and memorials Scan: family sign-in Birth, Burial, Death
U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019 Directories and public records Citation only Birth
U.S., Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current Newspapers Viewable scan Birth, Death, Residence
Valley News; Publication Date: 25 Feb 2008; Publication Place: West Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA; URL: https:…
DD Form 214 Military Transcription Military service
Report of Separation from Active Duty, Richard Dixon Oak, U.S. Army (Regular Army), effective 21 February 19…
Query result 3 Oct 2026: 'RUSSELL, BERT VON; 1LT INFANTRY; WORLD WAR I; born 02/12/1886, died 07/20/1954; Los Angeles National Cemetery, Section 235 Row C Site 10.' The tree's federal marker photographs read 'BERT VON RUSSELL / MAINE / 1ST LT 18 INFANTRY / WORLD WAR I SS-PH / FEB 12 1886 JULY 20 1954'. VA National Cemetery Administration, Nationwide Gravesite Locator. Report of the Adjutant Gen Burials and memorials Citation only Military service
U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019 Directories and public records Citation only Residence
U.S., Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002 Directories and public records Citation only Residence
Newspapers.com - Valley News - 25 Feb 2008 - 4 Newspapers Viewable scan Event
Richard D Oak Sr Obituary 25 Feb 2008
Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997 Birth, marriage and death records Viewable scan
U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019 Directories and public records Citation only
U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2 Directories and public records Citation only Residence

Research sources

Share a memory of Richard Dixon Oak Sr.: saved privately, not published (family members can sign in to send one).

Open an evidence label for the sources, assessment and review date. Unreviewed tree entries are Unconfirmed. How sure is each statement?