After graduating from Lewisville High School, he attended University of North Texas in Denton where he graduated with a B.A. degree in marketing.
Richard and Linda married in Carrollton, TX and shared this union for 58 years this past April.
After graduation, Richard started his sales career as a salesman for Texaco, and during his 17 years of employment, Texaco moved him to Abilene as sales manager of the Abilene Area. When living in Abilene, Richard and Linda were members of the Pioneer Drive Baptist church and after moving to Novice, they became dedicated members of the First Baptist Church of Novice. They both were always very generous to various charitable organizations.
As a competitor, he met Bill Wright, the owner of Western Marketing. In 1980, Bill persuaded Richard to come to work for Western Marketing as his sales manager. As WMI sales manager, Richard worked closely with John Thacker who had been working in a management position for Western Marketing for a little over a year Richard and John became close business friends and developed the trust of Bill Wright who was impressed with Richard's sales capabilities and respect for fellow employees. Bill sold Western Marketing to Richard and John in 1990.
After operating Western Marketing a short time they began the Company's expansion. Their first of many acquisitions was the Turley Truck Stop. From that point on, the Company continued to grow. One of the many sales events that Richard enjoyed and invited all major customers and suppliers to was WMI’s annual dove hunt and related outdoor cookout.
Richard and John grew the company very rapidly as Richard was the ultimate salesman. On all trips he never passed a new business that did not bring up the challenge to contact them to see who they were buying their oil products from. He and John worked tirelessly to acquire competing businesses and was able to grow Western Marketing in the Lubbock, Amarillo, Stroud Oklahoma and the Longview area markets.
In 2010 Richard and John sold Western Marketing and Richard retired. At his retirement party, he was presented with an antique Jeep which was his pride and joy in hunting which he loved. After retirement, Richard began his ranching career which he enjoyed until his health required that he sell all his cattle and lease his ranches.
He is survived by his wife Linda Hasten of Abilene; son Rich Hasten and wife Sue of Highlands Ranch, CO; granddaughter Natalie Hasten; brother Cleveland Hasten and wife Jennifer of Lewisville, TX; nephews: Nathan and wife Emily and their two sons and daughter, Ross and wife Shelby and their two sons and Brian and wife Laura and their two sons.
A visitation will be from 1:00 – 2:00 PM Friday, May 3, 2024 followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM at the Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel, 5701 Highway 277 South, in Abilene.
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