Joseph Richard "Joe" Rison was called home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 14, 2023.  Joe passed peacefully at his residence in Ardmore, OK surrounded by his wife and three children. A celebration of Joe's incredible life is scheduled for Monday March 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church in Ardmore with Rev. Dr. David Daniel and Reverend John Hollon officiating.

Joe was born March 6, 1958, in Ardmore, OK to Richard and Shirley (Patterson) Rison.  He graduated from Ardmore High School in 1976 and then briefly attended Oklahoma State University before quickly realizing his error and transferring to the University of Oklahoma.  While at OU, Joe was a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and, as an alumni, served on their board for a number of years. Joe also met his amazing wife Debra Kline at OU and they were married on January 16, 1982 in Houston, TX.

Joe graduated from OU with a B.S. in Geology in 1980 and went to work for Samedan Oil Corporation before joining L.E. Jones Operating Company where he worked for 40+ years as their geologist.  He was actively involved in the Ardmore Geological Society and served on the Ardmore Geological Log Library Board.  He was also a member of the Southern Oklahoma Association of Petroleum Landmen.

Joe was a committed Christian and devoted much of his time serving his church and community.  He taught confirmation classes, sponsored numerous youth group mission trips, and also started the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program at Plainview Middle School and later helped facilitate the High School program as it grew.  Joe's attended the Walk to Emmaus in 1992 which had a profound impact on his life.  The Emmaus ministry was immensely important to him and he worked on many Walks in a number of capacities, including serving as Lay Director in 2019.

Joe loved the Sooners, Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Cardinals.  He loved cycling, was an avid golfer, and  loved spending time at "The Farm."  Joe will be missed beyond expression.  He was an extraordinary man with extraordinary faith and his prayers for others were incredibly heartfelt and authentic.  He never met a stranger and his humility and grace were well-known.  Joe continued to put others before himself up until the end. He can never be replaced.  God took a special saint home.

He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Shirley and a brother Johnny Rison.

He is survived by his wife Debra of the home; sons, Matthew Rison, and his wife Taylor of Oklahoma City, OK and Davis Rison of Ardmore; daughter, Brett Ashley Wray and her husband Ryan of Midland, TX; grandchildren Blake, Caroline, Bennett and Emmy Lou; sisters Jayna Rison and her husband Joe Kennedy of Middletown, MD and Catherine Rison of Chicago, IL, and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be left to Crosspoint Emmaus Community or The First Methodist Endowment Fund, both c/o First Methodist Church of Ardmore, OK.

Online condolences can be made at craddockfuneralhome.com