Richard Light was a wonderful person. He spent hours on the phone with me, talking about our family history. However much time I needed, he said he had nothing better to do than to talk to me.
Richard A. Light, age 86, of Grove, Okla. completed his journey on earth on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013 after a long illness.
He was born Aug. 4, 1927 to Jesse & Dollie Swartz Light in Ogden, Utah. There he grew up and attended high school until the age of 17, when he joined the U.S. Navy. Early in his Naval career, Richard met & fell in love with the mother of his three children, Neuella Thompson. During that marriage the couple suffered the loss of their 15 year old daughter, Margie. The couple and their children made their home throughout the U.S., going wherever the Navy stationed them.
In 1945 Richard began the career of his lifetime in the Navy. He was a veteran of WWII, Korea Conflict and Vietnam and received many medals for his service. During his career he served on many ships, mostly destroyers and retired on June 1, 1975 as Sr. Chief Machinist's Mate of the U.S.S. Edson, after having been called back to active duty after his first retirement in 1962. There he received more commendations for his service. His exemplary Naval career was notably evident by the fact that in all those years of service he never received one disciplinary reprimand. Richard was role model and instructor to many young men during his 30 plus years of service. His rank was MMCS-E-8, Machinist's Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer.
After his retirement from the Navy, Richard made his home in Northwest Arkansas. Never one to sit idly, he used the knowledge he had gained in various occupations until his civilian retirement in 1988. During those years, Richard met and fell in love and with Edna Brown. Marrying her in 1977, he gained 6 additional children. He was a wonderful and loving father and grandfather.
His retirement years were active as he enjoyed traveling, gardening and keeping in touch with his former shipmates. He attended several ship reunions throughout the country. One of his greatest joys came from his daily morning meetings with his McDonalds buddies. He often commented that at those gatherings all the world's problems were solved each morning.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, four brothers, his wife, two daughters, one granddaughter and one great great granddaughter.
He is survived by his loving children: Jeannie Duncan of Bentonville, Ark., Kenneth Light & wife Marcia Washburn, Mo., John Brown and wife Barbara of Concord, N.C., Jack Brown and wife Thelma of Grove, Okla., Lynda Brown Thomas and husband Jim of Miami, Okla., Susan Brown Christensen and husband Gary of Grove, Okla. One sister, Shirley Thompson and husband John of Siloam Springs, Ark., 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, and many other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013 at Nichols Funeral Service, Grove, Okla. Pastor Guy Morrow to officiate. Interment and Veteran's Burial Rites will be at Olympus Cemetery Grove, Okla.
Richard A. Light, age 86, of Grove, Okla. completed his journey on earth on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013 after a long illness.
He was born Aug. 4, 1927 to Jesse & Dollie Swartz Light in Ogden, Utah. There he grew up and attended high school until the age of 17, when he joined the U.S. Navy. Early in his Naval career, Richard met & fell in love with the mother of his three children, Neuella Thompson. During that marriage the couple suffered the loss of their 15 year old daughter, Margie. The couple and their children made their home throughout the U.S., going wherever the Navy stationed them.
In 1945 Richard began the career of his lifetime in the Navy. He was a veteran of WWII, Korea Conflict and Vietnam and received many medals for his service. During his career he served on many ships, mostly destroyers and retired on June 1, 1975 as Sr. Chief Machinist's Mate of the U.S.S. Edson, after having been called back to active duty after his first retirement in 1962. There he received more commendations for his service. His exemplary Naval career was notably evident by the fact that in all those years of service he never received one disciplinary reprimand. Richard was role model and instructor to many young men during his 30 plus years of service. His rank was MMCS-E-8, Machinist's Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer.
After his retirement from the Navy, Richard made his home in Northwest Arkansas. Never one to sit idly, he used the knowledge he had gained in various occupations until his civilian retirement in 1988. During those years, Richard met and fell in love and with Edna Brown. Marrying her in 1977, he gained 6 additional children. He was a wonderful and loving father and grandfather.
His retirement years were active as he enjoyed traveling, gardening and keeping in touch with his former shipmates. He attended several ship reunions throughout the country. One of his greatest joys came from his daily morning meetings with his McDonalds buddies. He often commented that at those gatherings all the world's problems were solved each morning.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, four brothers, his wife, two daughters, one granddaughter and one great great granddaughter.
He is survived by his loving children: Jeannie Duncan of Bentonville, Ark., Kenneth Light & wife Marcia Washburn, Mo., John Brown and wife Barbara of Concord, N.C., Jack Brown and wife Thelma of Grove, Okla., Lynda Brown Thomas and husband Jim of Miami, Okla., Susan Brown Christensen and husband Gary of Grove, Okla. One sister, Shirley Thompson and husband John of Siloam Springs, Ark., 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, and many other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013 at Nichols Funeral Service, Grove, Okla. Pastor Guy Morrow to officiate. Interment and Veteran's Burial Rites will be at Olympus Cemetery Grove, Okla.
Richard Light was a wonderful person. He spent hours on the phone with me, talking about our family history. However much time I needed, he said he had nothing better to do than to talk to me.
Richard A. Light, age 86, of Grove, Okla. completed his journey on earth on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013 after a long illness.
He was born Aug. 4, 1927 to Jesse & Dollie Swartz Light in Ogden, Utah. There he grew up and attended high school until the age of 17, when he joined the U.S. Navy. Early in his Naval career, Richard met & fell in love with the mother of his three children, Neuella Thompson. During that marriage the couple suffered the loss of their 15 year old daughter, Margie. The couple and their children made their home throughout the U.S., going wherever the Navy stationed them.
In 1945 Richard began the career of his lifetime in the Navy. He was a veteran of WWII, Korea Conflict and Vietnam and received many medals for his service. During his career he served on many ships, mostly destroyers and retired on June 1, 1975 as Sr. Chief Machinist's Mate of the U.S.S. Edson, after having been called back to active duty after his first retirement in 1962. There he received more commendations for his service. His exemplary Naval career was notably evident by the fact that in all those years of service he never received one disciplinary reprimand. Richard was role model and instructor to many young men during his 30 plus years of service. His rank was MMCS-E-8, Machinist's Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer.
After his retirement from the Navy, Richard made his home in Northwest Arkansas. Never one to sit idly, he used the knowledge he had gained in various occupations until his civilian retirement in 1988. During those years, Richard met and fell in love and with Edna Brown. Marrying her in 1977, he gained 6 additional children. He was a wonderful and loving father and grandfather.
His retirement years were active as he enjoyed traveling, gardening and keeping in touch with his former shipmates. He attended several ship reunions throughout the country. One of his greatest joys came from his daily morning meetings with his McDonalds buddies. He often commented that at those gatherings all the world's problems were solved each morning.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, four brothers, his wife, two daughters, one granddaughter and one great great granddaughter.
He is survived by his loving children: Jeannie Duncan of Bentonville, Ark., Kenneth Light & wife Marcia Washburn, Mo., John Brown and wife Barbara of Concord, N.C., Jack Brown and wife Thelma of Grove, Okla., Lynda Brown Thomas and husband Jim of Miami, Okla., Susan Brown Christensen and husband Gary of Grove, Okla. One sister, Shirley Thompson and husband John of Siloam Springs, Ark., 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, and many other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013 at Nichols Funeral Service, Grove, Okla. Pastor Guy Morrow to officiate. Interment and Veteran's Burial Rites will be at Olympus Cemetery Grove, Okla.
Richard A. Light, age 86, of Grove, Okla. completed his journey on earth on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013 after a long illness.
He was born Aug. 4, 1927 to Jesse & Dollie Swartz Light in Ogden, Utah. There he grew up and attended high school until the age of 17, when he joined the U.S. Navy. Early in his Naval career, Richard met & fell in love with the mother of his three children, Neuella Thompson. During that marriage the couple suffered the loss of their 15 year old daughter, Margie. The couple and their children made their home throughout the U.S., going wherever the Navy stationed them.
In 1945 Richard began the career of his lifetime in the Navy. He was a veteran of WWII, Korea Conflict and Vietnam and received many medals for his service. During his career he served on many ships, mostly destroyers and retired on June 1, 1975 as Sr. Chief Machinist's Mate of the U.S.S. Edson, after having been called back to active duty after his first retirement in 1962. There he received more commendations for his service. His exemplary Naval career was notably evident by the fact that in all those years of service he never received one disciplinary reprimand. Richard was role model and instructor to many young men during his 30 plus years of service. His rank was MMCS-E-8, Machinist's Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer.
After his retirement from the Navy, Richard made his home in Northwest Arkansas. Never one to sit idly, he used the knowledge he had gained in various occupations until his civilian retirement in 1988. During those years, Richard met and fell in love and with Edna Brown. Marrying her in 1977, he gained 6 additional children. He was a wonderful and loving father and grandfather.
His retirement years were active as he enjoyed traveling, gardening and keeping in touch with his former shipmates. He attended several ship reunions throughout the country. One of his greatest joys came from his daily morning meetings with his McDonalds buddies. He often commented that at those gatherings all the world's problems were solved each morning.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, four brothers, his wife, two daughters, one granddaughter and one great great granddaughter.
He is survived by his loving children: Jeannie Duncan of Bentonville, Ark., Kenneth Light & wife Marcia Washburn, Mo., John Brown and wife Barbara of Concord, N.C., Jack Brown and wife Thelma of Grove, Okla., Lynda Brown Thomas and husband Jim of Miami, Okla., Susan Brown Christensen and husband Gary of Grove, Okla. One sister, Shirley Thompson and husband John of Siloam Springs, Ark., 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, and many other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013 at Nichols Funeral Service, Grove, Okla. Pastor Guy Morrow to officiate. Interment and Veteran's Burial Rites will be at Olympus Cemetery Grove, Okla.
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