Richard Dwight Cackler, longtime Cushing resident, passed away Tuesday afternoon, July 14, 2009, in Claremore, OK at the age of 83 years.
The son of the late Claud William Cackler and Edith Marie Rhea Cackler, Richard was born on November 27, 1925 in Blackwell, OK, attending Blackwell schools until 1937, when his family moved to Cushing. Here he attended Wilson Elementary School and Cushing High School. He went to welding school in Bristow, and this is where he met Jerva Marie Bush and they were married on October 29, 1943 in Bristow.
He was employed in 1943 as an electric welder at the Cushing Refinery.
During World War II, on January 31, 1944, he joined the United States Navy, and took basic training at a naval base in Farragut, Idaho. After finishing basic training, he went to gunnery training school in San Diego, and he served as a gunner on the U.S.S. Atlantis. Richard was injured during World War II, and was awarded the Purple Heart for his actions.
His employment was with Cushing, Midland and Hudson refineries.
Richard was a member of the First United Methodist Church; a ,member of the Cushing V.F.W.; he enjoyed his life, square dancing with Jerva and loving to hunt, fish, and camp in Oklahoma lakes.
Survivors include his wife of over 65 years, Jerva Cackler of the home; three children, Barbara Hungate and her husband Don of Cushing, Chuck Cackler and his wife JoAnne of Bixby and Rick Cackler of Cushing; two sisters Nadine Smith and her husband Jay of Cushing and Charlene Harris of Midwest City, OK; 12 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Ron Cackler and David Cackler; one brother Clyde Cackler and one sister Della.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 17, 2009 at 10 A.M. in the Euchee Valley Memorial Park Cemetery with Reverend Ted Uhlig, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating.
You may share your condolences with the Cackler family at www.davisfh.net.
Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home.
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