Funeral services with full military honors for Major Richard Gordon Stierlen will be Thursday, May 16, 2019 2:00 P.M. at the Craddock Memorial Chapel with Rev. Ron Armithee officiating. Interment will follow at Hewitt Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday evening from 6-7 PM at the funeral home. Richard was born May 5, 1942 at Orange County, CA to Richard Harold Stierlen and Imogene Pearl Cromwell Stierlen. He passed from this life on May 10, 2019 in the VA Center in Norman, Oklahoma at the age of 77. He graduated from Avenal High School in Avenal, California in 1960. Richard and Carolyn Bishop were married on July 1, 1969 in Wichita Falls. They would have been celebrating their 50 ^th wedding anniversary this July. He attended officer cadet school at Ft. Sill, finishing top in his class. Richard was an Army veteran. He served in Germany and Vietnam. He retired as a Major after 20 years of service and was in field artillery. While in the service, he lived in several different states. During this time he was head of the ROTC in 5 states for 3 years and second in command at Ft. Hunter Leggit Post XO in California and received 2 Bronze Stars along with various other accommodations.

Richard loved to travel, go fishing, work with his tools, especially woodworking and working on cars and spend time with his family. He had a special love for his pets.

He was preceded in death by his parents Richard Harold Stierlen and Imogene Pearl Stierlen and a  son Kim Allen Stierlen. Richard is survived by his wife Carolyn of the home, son; Randall A. Stierlen of Ardmore, sister; Debbie Simmontacchi and husband Dennis of Lake View, Oregon, niece; Gina Sprich, nephew; Jarrod Simmontacchi, brothers and sisters-in-laws; Ann Ortiz, Virgil Bishop, Sue Briscoe, Glen Bishop, Bobby Bishop and his dogs Stormy Prince of Yorkshire and Mia Mi Luv. The Army will serve as pallbearers.