RICHARD ALAN MARSTON, 77 year old resident of Fargo, died Wednesday, July 09, 2008 in the Grace Living Center. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Fargo United Methodist Church followed by graveside services at Gage Memorial Cemetery with the Reverends Aaron Martin and Timothy Heemstra officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaw's Good Samaritan Funeral Home of Shattuck.
Richard Alan Marston was born on April 15, 1931 at Erie, Pennsylvania to George Frederick, Jr. and Enid (Dart) Marston, the oldest of two children. The family moved to Schenectady, New York before settling in Woodward County, Oklahoma. He attended Keenan Country School and Fargo High School before obtaining a degree in Trade and Industrial Education from Oklahoma A&M College (now OSU). He married Beverly Loy Edwards on June 1, 1952 in Gage Oklahoma. In 1954, he joined the Air Force, serving first as an aircraft mechanic and later as a supply officer, obtaining the rank of Captain. He was stationed at Williams AFB, AZ; Lowery AFB, CO; Toul-Rosieres AFB, France; Alconbury, England; Cannon AFB, NM; Warner Robbins, GA; Da Nang AFB, Vietnam; and Mountain Home, ID where he resigned his commission in 1968 to return to farming and ranching in Fargo, Oklahoma. Richard enjoyed square dancing and reading in his spare time and was active in the Fargo United Methodist Church, Fargo Chamber of Commerce, Fargo Booster Club, and Woodward Wranglers Square Dance Club. He was known for his love of tinkering on the farm, sense of humor, and his fun-loving practical jokes – most often targeting his family members. He was always willing to help out wherever he saw a need.
He was preceded in death by parents George and Enid Marston and by son Douglas Kent Marston.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Beverly (Edwards) Marston; sons Greg and wife Rajeana of Gage; Bruce and wife Ima of Woodward; Mark and wife Sherry of Perry; Michael and wife Sharon of Houston, TX; and brother Robert and wife Sharron of Plano, TX. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and other family and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue/Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136 or Fargo United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 18, Fargo, OK 73840.