Richard Eldon Stevens was born November 16, 1922 to Lester Lewis and Irma Pearl (Smith) Stevens at their home twelve miles north of Shattuck, Oklahoma. He departed this life July 12, 2009 at the age of 86 years, 6 months and 26 days.

Richard attended Miller Rural School until the school consolidated with the Gage School District. Richard did well scholastically and he enjoyed participating in basketball and football.

He joined the Army/Air Force on August 24, 1943 at Oklahoma City and was transferred to Le Grande, Oregon where he attended Cadet School and college. When the war was over the need for pilots did not exist and he was subsequently transferred to airplane mechanics school. While in mechanics school, he was stationed in a number of places throughout the United States. He received an honorable discharge at Fort Sam Houston, Texas on March 11, 1946.

On December 24, 1946, Richard married Emma Lee Farris. To this union three children were born, daughter Lisa and sons Lance and Gordon. Except for the time he served in the military, Richard spent his entire life in Ellis County.

Richard spent his life farming and working with livestock. He didn't think there was anything broken that he couldn't repair. To aid in the family livelihood, he built stock trailers, windmills and cattle feeders in his spare time.

Richard was active in the Arnett American Legion in the earlier years. He served on the Arnett School Board and was a member of the Arnett First United Methodist Church. After retirement, Richard enjoyed gardening, wood working and assisting with projects at the Church.

In September 2007, failing health made it necessary to have full time care and he entered the Shattuck Nursing Center.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Irma Stevens, and infant brother and one sister, Allene Barth. He is survived by wife Emma Lee Stevens of the home, daughter Lisa Stevens Stone and son Lance Stevens of Arnett; son, Gordon Stevens and wife Mattie of Ft. Worth, Texas; sister, Joy Wilson of Arnett; brother-in-law, Kenneth Farris and wife Ruth of Canyon City, Colorado; sister-in-law, Rose Marie Farris of Hastings, Nebraska; three grandchildren, Kyle Stevens, Nicholas and Lauren Crow of Arnett; three step grandchildren, Hope Suthers, John David Barnett and Joey Barnett, other relatives and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity, the Arnett Senior Citizens Center, or the United Methodist Church.