Graveside service with full military honors for MAJ (Retired) Marion Dale Richards will be at 9:00 a.m. Friday, June 20, 2025 at Fort Sill National Cemetery with Pastor Sulia Mason III of Faith Bible Church, Lawton, Oklahoma officiating.

Those of you wishing to attend may follow in procession from the funeral home at 8:30 a.m. or simply meet at the cemetery.

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

MAJ (Retired) Marion Dale Richards, 91, of Lawton, Oklahoma, passed away on June 9, 2025, at the age of 91 years, 6 months, and 21 days. He was born on November 18, 1933, at home on a farm near Geary, Oklahoma, to Chester R. and Rhoma (Day) Richards. Marion was raised on the family farm with his siblings-Chester Ray, Annetta, and Janice-until the age of eight, when the family relocated to Wichita, Kansas.

While attending school in Wichita, Marion met the love of his life, Mary Joan Wells. Their relationship began when Joan was 14 and Marion was 16, and they were united in marriage on December 21, 1952. Together they raised four children: Wayne Dale, Brenda Kay, Michael Ray, and Vicki Lynn.

Marion was employed at Vornado Fan Company before being called to serve in the U.S. Army on November 11, 1953. His military career took him and his family to various posts including Châteauroux and Toul, France; San Francisco, California; El Paso, Texas; Germany; and Pleasant Hill, Missouri, where he was stationed at a Nike Air Defense Missile site. Marion later attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he and his family remained for the duration of his military service. He proudly served two combat tours in Vietnam and achieved the rank of Major over his 20-year career. His awards include two Bronze Star Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, and several commendations from the government of South Vietnam. A proud moment in his life came on December 7, 1973, when he administered the oath of service to his oldest son, Wayne, as he entered the United States Air Force.

Following his honorable discharge on December 31, 1973, Marion enrolled at Cameron University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He worked at City National Bank in Lawton for many years before he and Joan moved to Colorado to be near extended family. There, Marion worked as an accountant at Jefferson County Airport until his retirement. After nearly 30 years in Colorado, the couple returned to Lawton.

In 2008, Marion became an ordained minister and served faithfully at his home church. He also took great joy in working with the Faith Bible Church Prison Ministry alongside Pastor Riemer and David Hunter.

Marion's earlier years were filled with a love for hunting and fishing with his lifelong friend Stanley Brown and his children. In retirement, he cherished time spent on the golf course with his brothers-in-law, Leroy and Alvin Vickery.

Marion will be remembered as a man who loved God, his family, and his country. His legacy of faith, service, and integrity will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Survivors include: His wife Joan, son, Wayne, daughter, Brenda Ivey (Jim), son, Mike (Terri), daughter, Vicki Bauer, son-in-law. Rick Bauer, also, just like a daughter, Judy Jones Smith, grandson, Jason Bunzel, grandson, Taylor Richards (Heather), granddaughter, Madison Aust, great grandchildren, Kiern Bunzel, Tommy Bunzel, Samantha Bunzel, Syndey Richards, Miles Richards, Timothy Richards, great great grandchildren, Jason Ray Bunzel, Violet Bunzel and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Faith Bible Church Prison Ministry or Lawton Animal Shelter.

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com