Richard Dean Porterfield

Richard Dean Porterfield, passed from this life into eternity on October 17, 2026, after a 26 year battle with a chronic illness. Despite the difficulty and pain his body was constantly under, he lived out an unwavering faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He spent the last 26 years serving and ministering to all kinds of people, while enduring his own challenges and disappointments. His life is forever defined by his love for the Lord, his gentle love for people, and his desire to help others find healing and wholeness in Christ.

“Ricky” - as he was affectionately known in his youth – was born and raised in Ardmore, Oklahoma to Wanda Jean (Gandy) Porterfield and Richard "Cowboy" Porterfield. He attended Plainview High School and graduated as Class President and Valedictorian in 1985. He carried many fond memories of his days there, playing football and participating in everything he could. Growing up, Rick was a great sports enthusiast and had a big love for the Dallas Cowboys, the OU Sooners, and the game of golf. He often recounted how as an early teen he’d have his mom drop him off in the morning at one of the golf courses in the area and then spend the next 12 hours there until it was dark. His love for it even motivated him to start the Plainview High School Golf Team, which continues today. 

Following high school, Rick had plans to become a doctor and had full scholarship opportunities for further education. However, in his first year at OBU, he received a different calling for his life while at a Phil Driscoll concert where he had an incredible encounter with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was in that moment that Rick gave everything he had in his life over to the Lord. It impacted him so greatly that he immediately set out to tell everyone on campus who would listen to him about the life-changing love of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit. He could not deny where the Lord was calling him and he left school to pursue ministry right away. Many people in his life at that time did not understand or agree with that decision, including his parents. It strained a lot of his relationships for the time, but he never wavered in knowing what the Lord had called him to do.

He quickly found himself in the non-denominational evangelical Ekklesia Church in Ardmore, OK. His ministry days began with working as a youth pastor while growing in his understanding and discipleship. He led many youth camps and developed his guitar skills for leading worship, while also teaching high school math at the church-school. He went on to start the Ekklesia Eagles basketball program with both a boys and a girls team for the small number of youth who attended their Ekklesia Christian Academy. Within just a few short years, the basketball program went on to win multiple State Championships with the boys’ and the girls teams and a number of Conference Championships, as well as both the boys and girls teams continually being awarded the top Sportsmanship Award every year that he coached, a testament to the standard he held for their conduct.

At the age of 30, he took over as head pastor of Ardmore Christian Church. Rick was an exceptional teacher who had a way of simplifying things for people to better understand. He was an avid reader and researcher of so many topics, studying everything from investing and gold markets - to theology and grace. He soaked up everything he could get his hands on and prided himself on not shying away from multiple perspectives in order to gain understanding of a topic. Though he was a gifted teacher, his greater joy was to just connect with people. He believed that life should be enjoyed and he held many passions throughout. People knew variations of Rick in the different seasons of his life, but there were three things that were constant in him: 1) his love for the Lord, 2) his love for people, and 3) his love for the Dallas Cowboys.

Rick spent the last 10 years of his life continuing in ministering to people as often as possible, launching High Point Church in 2017. He ministered both one-on-one and in group settings where he felt it necessary to speak to the issues of the day, eventually reaching people far and wide online. He also found immense joy in building up leaders and ordaining new ministers to go out into the world with their varying gifts. Rick was immensely impactful in so many individual lives. He was imbued with mercy and had a gentle and unassuming way about him that drew people in. He was a good friend who stood with many in the sorrows and complexities of life. He also understood the goodness of God throughout it; and despite all that he endured, he never stopped loving God. Even to the end, he clung to the verse and belief from Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He leaves behind his sister and brother-in-law, Vicki Jean Grider & Jonas Grider of Ardmore; nephew, Caden Oldham of Ardmore, Neice Brooklyn Oldham of Ardmore, Niece Bailey Oldham of Ardmore, Nephew Blade Oldham and wife of Ardmore, and Neice Jadyn Watson and husband of Ardmore; his faithful brother in Christ, Rick Smith, and many other near and far family, cousins, and countless close friends.

Rick, the Lord has made you well… and Go Cowboys!

Services will be held on Friday October 23rd, 2026, at 2:00 pm, at Crystal Rock Cathedral of Ardmore with Reverand Walt Spradling officiating. Interment will follow at West Memorial Cemetery in Lone Grove, OK.  Services are under the direction and care of Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Wilson, OK.

A night visitation for family and friends will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday evening, October 22nd, 2026, at the Alexander Gray Funeral Home Chapel in Wilson, OK.

Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.alexandergrayfh.com.