R. Stephen Rysted

September 4, 1956 - November 10, 2019

R. Stephen Rysted went to be with his heavenly Father on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at the tender age of 63 after a short bout with cancer. Steve was born on September 4, 1956, at St. Anthony Hospital, in Oklahoma City where he spent his lifetime. Steve was predeceased by his mother, Dorothy Dean Rysted, his Aunt Bea Johnson, his Aunt Edith Briggs, his Uncle Eddie Rysted and his Grandmother Alice Rysted and is leaving behind his father, Robert A. Rysted, his Aunt Kitty Benton, his Aunt Mary Gard, his Uncle Keith Rysted and his brother Karl Rysted, nephew Kevin Rysted and niece Kristen Lawhorn. Steve graduated from Putnam City High School in 1974 and became a licensed Mechanical Journeyman. Steve was also an Eagle Scout and spent his lifetime living out the Boy Scout oath by helping people whenever he could. He was a skilled heat and air tech specializing in pool and spa equipment, operating his own company called Hot Water Works for over 30 years and was also proficient with electrical, plumbing and lighting systems. Steve was proud to operate the lighting for the Thunder games and was a member of the IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) Local # 112 for 20 years, acting as its President from 2006 to 2009 and its Business Agent from 2010. Steve was also an excellent auto mechanic, racing his 1969 Mustang out on 39th Street Expressway in his younger days and tinkering with automobiles and trucks his entire life. However, Steve’s greatest gift was being a generous friend to all he met. He will be missed by many. A celebration of life for Stephen will be held at 1:00p.m., Saturday, November 23, 2019 at Crawford Family Funeral Service Chapel with a reception to follow the service.