Funeral service for LTC (Retired) Richard A. Carl, Sr. will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at Trinity Assembly of God, Lawton, with Rev. Dan Palesano, Lawton, officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow at Fort Sill National Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

LTC (Retired) Richard A. Carl, Sr., 76, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2019 in Lawton.

Rick was born October 6, 1942 in Bremerton, Washington to Ralph A. Carl and Margaret C. Pettit. Richard joined the United States Army in 1961 and served six years as an enlisted soldier. During those years he earned many awards. He was a Parachute Rigger, a member of the Special Forces and a member of the 82 ^nd Airborne Division. He attended Officers Candidate School (OCS) and became a Quarter Master Officer. After 14 ½ years in the regular army, Rick finished his military career in the Army Reserve. He entered the service as a buck private and concluded his military career as a lieutenant colonel. Following his military service Rick began his next successful career as an insurance specialist. After working locally for a few years Rick went to work for Worksite Communications in Tallahassee, Florida. For the next 20 years he excelled as a leader in the industry. Rick never met a stranger and this helped him excel in every endeavor he undertook. Rick was very involved in the local Optimist Clubs for many years. He served as President of the Lawton Noon and Eastside Clubs and as the Oklahoma District Governor from 1983-1984. He was an active member of the Gideon's for many years as well as a member of the MOWW, DVA, the American Legion and VFW.

While working a temporary duty assignment (TDY) in Tulsa on March 3, 1974, Richard met Betty Benjamin the love of his life…..his princess, and asked her to marry him. She thought he was crazy, but five weeks later on April 11, 1974 they were married. They celebrated their 45 ^th wedding anniversary this past April.

Rick spent many years on the ball fields while both his children and grandchildren were growing up. Whether it was watching his girls play volleyball, pep club or cheer he was there supporting them. Rick helped coach many teams that his son played on at Park Lane. He loved his children and it showed. Later, he was often seen and very well heard at Central High girls' basketball and softball games in which his granddaughters played. He was so proud of his family and was involved in all their lives.

Rick was always a tall, strong, hardworking man watching over his family. He was a gentle loving grandpa who could fix anything and knew about all things and a loving supportive friend who would be there if you needed him. He battled many major health issues in the last 12 years and always came out on top. Go rest easy now my love.

Richard is survived by three children, daughter Shari Robertson of Duncan, Terry Robertson of Marlow, daughter Jennifer Kuntz and husband Andy of Lawton, son Richard Carl, Jr. and wife Sandy of Lawton, 10 grandchildren, who were the absolute joys of his life. They each knew that they were his favorites because he told them so. They are, Jimmy Robertson of McAlester, Paige Robertson of Duncan, Dillon Robertson of Marlow, Tabitha Burton and husband Matthew of Lawton, Shelby Inger and husband Nate of Lawton, Andrew Kuntz and wife Celina of Lawton, Madison Martin and husband Bradon of Ramstein, Germany, Tyler Carl and wife Desiree' of El Paso, Texas., Megan Carl of Lawton and fiancé Wade Farmer of Marlow, Caitlyn Carl of Lawton and bonus grandson Alex Easly of Sterling, five brothers, Dan Smith, Robert Carl, David Logston all of California, Roger Carl and Rodney Carl of New Mexico, and five sisters, Sandra Logston of California, Mardi Magness, Carol Faturik, Patti Slone and Rosabella Dugger all of New Mexico, two sisters-in-law, Faye Gray and husband Bob from Tulsa, Linda Perkins and husband Jim from Beebe, Arkansas, numerous nieces and nephews who he dearly loved and who will greatly miss their amazing Uncle Rick. Rick was blessed with many loving friends along the way but had 2 very special bonus families, Scott and Becki Hilgenberg and sons Jared and Joshua as well as Ronnie and Barbara Greenroyd and children Justin and Kaylee. And his ever faithful friend and companion "Bossman".

Rick was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Ralph A. Carl, Jr.