STOCKWELL, Richard Leroy (“Dick”, “Stocky”), passed away July 16, 2023 at the age of 87, in his home in the Villages, Florida, in the arms of his beloved wife of 66 years, Carol Irene Stockwell (Dunn). Previously of Gerald Missouri, Richard is survived by his wife, Carol and their 3 children, Reginald Loren Stockwell, Richard “Rick” Leroy (Cheryl) Stockwell II, and Jennifer Carol Rieker; 14 grandchildren, Tiffany (Robin) Vance, Jamie (Lee) VandaMeridan, Jessica (Gerrid) Manesco, Amanda (Christopher) Silber, Ricky (Megan) Stockwell, Jacob (Katie) Stockwell, Scott (Becky) Wilson, Daniel (Mona) Stockwell, Chelsea (Patrick) Stockwell, J. Ryan (Stephanie) Rieker, Jenna Rieker, Douglas (Rob) Hedley-Frank, Myra (Samuel) Trask, Tina Hedley; 27 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Richard is preceded into death by his parents, Reginald Leroy Stockwell and Eleanor Curlis Stockwell (Bitters). Richard was born in Flint, Michigan, an only child, to his proud and blessed parents. His family heritage included US Presidents William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison.
While in grade school, Richard contracted Rheumatic Fever and survived it not once, but twice. To assist with his healing, his parents moved to Mesa, Arizona. He then moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma with his parents where he attended Cleveland Junior High and Will Rogers High School. Richard went on to study engineering at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater Oklahoma (1958), where he also received his graduate degree in industrial engineering (1962).
Richard met Carol in the summer of their junior year of high school; they were engaged in 1955, and married on August 18, 1956 in the Catholic Church of the Madalene in Tulsa. Reginald Loren was born in December 1957, and 18 months later, Richard Leroy II was born in June 1959. Jennifer Carol was born in September 1963.
Richard started working for Douglas Aircraft in Tulsa in 1959. In 1962, he transferred to Huntington Beach California. After the merger with McDonnell aircraft in 1967, the family moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1968. He retired from McDonnell Douglas in 1992. He was well-travelled in his career, visiting all but 13 countries in the world.
He was interested in sports cars, swimming, and flying, and obtained his private pilot license. Richard flew his first solo flight in 1958 not knowing his father would make his first solo flight just one week before him. In 1972, while living in Ballwin, MO, Richard began his “weekend farmer” career that would lead to building his retirement dream home in Gerald, MO in 1990. He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and his many “Duchess” Doberman Pincers, while farming the acreage and raising cattle. He had many exciting adventures, including his encounter with a black bear that met the end of his pistol. In 2019, Richard retired from farming and Florida became his permanent residence.
We remember Dick, dad, papaw, as an intelligent and loyal man, with many stories of a full life. He was very proud of his family whom he considered his legacy. He worked hard and played hard, expected much and loved much. He will be greatly missed.