Richard Friend Stroud III “Rick”, 59, of Independence, Missouri passed away July 24, 2018. Rick was born to Verna and Richard Stroud II, January 24, 1959 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Stroud family moved to Kansas City in 1976 where Rick continued high school at Park Hill then attended and graduated at KU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. Rick was active in sports, football and baseball. He was well read in history, government, science, music, sports and so many subjects. He was a regular at using the library, checking books in and out.
Ricks work career included various jobs when he finished college; then was in upper management with International Association of Administrative Professionals for 17 years, and with Lowe’s Home Improvement three years until present where he had so many friends and coworkers who appreciated and loved him so. The Lowe’s people at the Liberty store wear black/blue lapel ribbons in Rick’s honor.
Rick was quite the artist and poet. At age 9, he wrote this poem for his mother. Night and Morning: The morning sets outside afraid, until my mother draws the shade, then it bursts in like a ball, splashing sunshine all over the wall, and evening is not night, until she tucks me in just right, and kissed me and turned out the light, oh, if my mother went away, who would start the night and day.
Rick was preceded in death by his mother and father, Verna Stroud Patterson and Richard F. Stroud II. He is survived by his stepfather, Wendel Patterson; brother, Mike Stroud; sisters, Beth Stroud and Wendy Lashbrook (Eric); aunt, Janice Kinch; nephews, Logan and Jordan Lashbrook and niece, Alexa Lashbrook. He also leaves his stepbrothers, Gregory Patterson (Tricia) and Jeffrey Patterson (Annette).
A private memorial tree planting at Mike Stroud’s lake home will be later this summer/fall, with Rick’s cremains scattered at the base of the tree. As Rick’s family, we wish to express our thanks for the prayers, calls, cards and condolences for our loss.
Arrangements are being handled with Newcomer’s Church-Archer-Pasley Funeral Home, 119 East Franklin Street, Liberty, Missouri 64068.
