Richard “Hank” Scrivener was one-of-kind.  Charming and charismatic, he was a strong man with a big laugh and a soft side full of love.  Rich enjoyed bringing people together and always had a good story to tell.  On Tuesday, January 27, 2026 Rich went to heaven surrounded by family and friends, laughing through tears while sharing those stories.

Rich (who went by Hank as a child) was born on March 5, 1948, in Lebanon, Missouri to Tom and Mary Scrivener.  He loved to reminisce about living on Drury Lane on the same street as his Granny Shaddy.  He spent a lot of time on his Uncle Wilson’s farm driving the tractor, fishing in the ponds his uncle built and goofing around with his sisters, Donna, Nancy and Sharon.  Hank and his dad enjoyed restoring old cars and tractors together and often hunted quail in Grovespring.   His sisters joke that Hank was his mother’s favorite since he was the only boy, but she would never have admitted it.  Hank attended Lebanon High school where he played football, ran track and played the tuba in the band, graduating in 1966.  His parents moved overseas when he was in college, affording him the opportunity to travel extensively through Asia and Europe as a young adult.

Hank attended Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) where he earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing.  He was a proud member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.  He often said his friendships with his Sig Ep brothers were what had gotten him through college.  He continued to keep in touch with many of them throughout his life.  He also continued to be involved with Missouri State as a proud alumnus.

After college, Rich (as he started to be known) moved to Chicago to work for Standard Oil Company. He often described it as a dream job, working in the big city and crossing the bridge over the Chicago River to his office on the 61^st floor of the Standard Oil Building.  He credited Standard Oil with much of his business acumen.  However, he decided big city life was not where he wanted to raise his then one year old daughter, Jami.  So, one day, as he liked to tell, he threw his briefcase into the river and headed back to the Ozarks.

Back in Springfield, Rich worked with Madden and Morris Oil Companies before founding his own, Scrivener Oil Company, in 1984.  His first Signal Food Store opened in Ava, Missouri.  He stocked the shelves, mowed the lawn and shoveled snow.  With hard work, determination, ambition and grit he steadily accumulated additional locations; each strategically acquired based on location, market competition and accessibility.  Today Scrivener Oil Company operates 12 Signal locations and will open the 13^th location later this month.  The company has also evolved to include its own fuel transport trucks, as well as food service including three Subway restaurants, two Hank’s Chicken restaurants, a Papa John’s Pizza and two Sugar Stop Candy Shops.  He was immensely proud of his company and of everyone who worked to make it a success.  Scrivener Oil Company now employs over 180 people; many having been with the company more than 20 years.  Rich was also proud of the local communities in which the Signal stores operate.  From donating to the local football team, to helping the firemen in Ava purchase a fire truck, Rich believed strongly in giving back to the communities where the Signal customers supported his business.

Rich loved his family.  He was especially proud of his kids and grandkids.  He was happy to be on the sidelines or in the audience cheering them on. He hosted many family events and holidays, bringing everyone together for chaotic fun.   Rich embraced life and was always ready to travel.  He loved to dance and wouldn’t hesitate to hit the dance floor.  Karaoke was a favorite of his, Johnny Cash songs were his specialty.  He loved a good joke, the goofier the better.  The lake was one of his favorite places to be.  From skiing, tubing and knee boarding, to throwing down the anchor in a cove to relax, it brought him so much joy.

Rich is survived by his daughters: Jami Jordan and husband Jason, Cecilia Scrivener  and Elliana Scrivener; his grandchildren: Mila, James and Dallas Jordan; his sisters: Donna Jeffries and husband Jim, Nancy Scrivener and Sharon Bench and husband John; his nephews: Zac Montgomery and wife Lizz, Zane Montgomery and wife Ashley and John Hunter and wife Emily; and many great nieces, nephews and cousins.   He also leaves behind many lifelong friends who he considered family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Mary Scrivener and nephew Brad Hunter.

To honor Rich, a celebration of life will be held at Greenlawn East (3540 Seminole Street in Springfield) on Sunday, February 1^st at 3:00pm.  In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research or the Missouri State University Foundation.