Richard Vern Stone

27 April, 1937 - 21 February, 2025

Born: Los Angeles, California

Death: Riverside, California

How do you measure the worth of a soul? By those they loved and all those who loved them.

Dick grew up in a humble home on McDavitt in Compton California. The 2nd of 3 sons, born to Vern and Bessie Haycock Stone. He was raised in a Christian home as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He had wonderful, loving, nurturing, hardworking parents, who taught him the value of a strong work ethic.

It was a golden age for a child when Dick grew up. He would say that he’d get up in the morning and put on his work clothes. Technically they were the dirty clothes he had played in all day, the day before. He’d say that he’d get up early, grab something to eat on the way out the door and wouldn’t come home until the streetlights came on. He said, “It was like a job”. Riding bikes, climbing trees, getting into mischief and scrapes was hard work!

For Dick, there was nothing ever better than his mom’s home cooking, especially her pies! He would say that nothing could top one of her pot roast or pork chop or meatloaf and mashed potatoes and gravy meals. Old fashioned deli sandwiches, and one of their big juicy pickles were always a favorite. Give him a PB & J for an after-dinner snack and a bowl of ice cream for dessert and he was a happy boy. An occasional fig newton, Neco wafers, Reese’s, Chips Ahoy and an Abba Zaba also hit the spot!

Dick enjoyed the outdoors. From fishing, camping in his big green canvas tent, (eventually it was upgraded to a motorhome) cars, motorcycle riding, collecting and shooting guns, his favorite was the Browning. He found out a few years ago that he was related to the Browning family, so I guess you could say that he was supporting the family business.

Dick took piano lessons as a boy. He played saxophone in the band and participated in the choir at school. Music became one of his passions as a young man and jazz was his favorite.

Following the example of his parents, Dick held several after school jobs. Beginning his first job around the age of 14.

Upon graduation, Dick enlisted in the armed Services, joining the branch of the Army. Due to health reasons, he was medically and honorably discharged.

When he returned home, he met Carolyn Chudley, to whom he would marry in June of 1957. They would later divorce. They had 2 daughters together. Susan and Sandie. He would always lovingly jest, “These are my boys!” They were the apples of his eye.

Dick found his niche in life as a salesman. He started his own insurance agency, in the adjacent office space to his father‘s commercial real estate business. He next moved to Fleetwood, the manufacturing company of the Prowler and Terry travel trailers. Dick started with them in the late 1960’s, pulling a trailer behind his truck, to every dealership in the mid-west, inviting them to display and sell the outstanding Fleetwood product on their lots. Dick was so phenomenal at doing this, that by 1972 he was asked to be head corporate sales manager for the Prowler division at Fleetwood. Dick and his team made not only Fleetwood the number one travel trailer and mobile home company nationwide, but Prowler became the number one travel trailer in the industry! He later worked with Alumax using his unprecedented skills to benefit the profits of their company. It was often said of Dick, that he could not only sell ice to the Eskimo’s, but he could sell them the freezer to put it in. His team called him, Mr. Wonderful!

Dick loved a good deal. After working so hard to earn and save to provide for his family, he would pinch his pennies so hard, that even a train couldn’t make it squeal as loud.

On New Year’s Eve 1975, Dick had his first date with the lovely, angelic Sherry Steffes Fatten. From the moment he met her, he was smitten! He was often heard saying how blessed he was to have found her! No one can deny that she became the absolute love of his life! They were married on the 16th of April 1977 and have been inseparable for 47 years.

Sherry had 4 children when they met. Debora, Cyndi, Rick and Mike. Dick loved Sherry’s children as his own and Sherry’s loving, Christ like nature, endeared Dick’s children to her. Together he and Sherry have raised 6 amazing, helpful, strong, successful daughters and sons. They have become a very cohesive, blessed, supportive, faithful and loving family. An incredible gift to all of them.

Dick and Sherry traveled around the country and Canada in their motorhome, visiting family history, religious and historical sites, enjoying family and friends and making memories. Quartzsite, AZ was one of their annual destinations.

Dick had a good sense of humor and loved to tease. The kids were most often the target of his quick wit. One of Dick’s absolute favorites though, was making Sherry laugh. She’s so sweet and loving and her giggle delighted his soul!

In 1982, Dick experienced a severe rollover car accident and suffered a broken back. Several years later in 1994, another accident would compound his injury, braking his back again in the

same area as before. He lived with increasing pain daily, yet he pushed himself forward, always striving and endeavoring to accomplish more. He was a great example of resilience and fortitude to his family and those around him.

As age crept in and Dick was slowing down, often you would find him in his chair in the garage, intently listening to his favorite talk radio shows. You might also catch him in the house watching a rerun of a classic John Wayne. Dick was the pure essence of one who was born in the golden age. There aren’t many left like him.

His family was his everything and nothing was more important to him than making sure that when his time came, his family would be well taken care of and protected. He wanted the best for his family and he worked tirelessly to provide it. He taught his children resiliency, responsibility, strength, work ethic and he encouraged and was pleased for his children when they found their faith in Christ. He was faithful and loyal to his family and loved them beyond measure. One of the last things he said was, “I Love My Family!” He wanted to make sure that they all knew. We Do!

For all that he was, for all that he gave and sacrificed for his family, we are grateful, and we thank him. Most of all, we Love him! As we walk into the house, there sits his empty chair, and we will miss him. But it is an ever-enduring reminder, that he and Mom did not just provide a house to shelter us from the storms of life, they created a home!

Dick, is Preceded in Death By:

His father Vern Stone, his mother Bessie Haycock Stone and his older brother Bob Stone.

Dick is Survived in Death By:

His wife Sherry Stone, younger brother Ed Stone, daughter Susan Ward (Ron), daughter Sandra Brinkworth (Rick), daughter Debora Fetzer, daughter Cyndi Cordoba (Gilbert), son Rick Fatten (Dawn), son Mike Fatten (Erika), 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, with one on the way.

We Express our love and gratitude to our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ, for the eternal plan of salvation and that families can be together forever!