Richard J. Drywater the son of Spencer and Bernice (Booth) Drywater was born March 12, 1946 in Tahlequah, OK and passed away Thursday May 12, 2011 in Tulsa, OK at the age of 65 years and 2 months. Richard was employed by Cherokee Nation for over 20 years. He worked in the Law and Justice Department, the Attorney General's Office and Talking Leaves Job Corp. He worked for the Cherokee County Sheriff Reserve for 10 years and he proudly served our country from 1963-1969 in the Army National Guard. Richard attended Oklahoma State University and Northeastern State University and earned an Associate's Degree in History and Criminal Law. Richard enjoyed going to the stock car races and spending time with his grandchildren. Richard touched many lives and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his father Spencer Drywater, brother Bennie Jo Drywater and daughter Delisa Barker. He is survived by a loving family which includes wife of over 43 years Donna Drywater of the home; mother Bernice Drywater of Tahlequah; son Darrell Wayne Drywater of the home; daughters Michelle Barnoskie husband Stoney of Tahlequah and Rejae Drywater of Tahlequah; grandchildren 2Lt. Richard Joshua Drywater, Sgt. Cody Drywater and wife Chryssa, Jayce DuBois, Jesse DuBois, Bethany Fellows, Shelby Ray, Ryne Maldonado, Sydney Ray, Kyleigh Drywater, Celsie Drywater, Jacob Drywater, and Haylee Barnoskie; great grandchildren Briyah Knight, Cody Drywater Jr., Bryleigh Knight and Conor Dallis; sisters Martha Force of Moody, Wilma Chapman and husband Richard of Tulsa, Mary Clarkson and husband Randy of Bixby, Carrie Godwin of Tahlequah, and Carol Huffman of Tahlequah; and brother Darrel Leroy Drywater of Moody. Many nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives also survive him.