Mark Clay Richardson

Mark Clay Richardson, 67, Altus, passed away Sunday, May 4, 2014 at the Jackson County Memorial Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 1:00 PM, Friday, May 9, 2014 at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church with Father Gregory Heidenblut and Father Sundar officiating. Services and cremation have been entrusted to the Kincannon Funeral Home. Mark Clay Richardson was born on January 31, 1947 to Wesley and Dorothy (Pullio) Richardson in Los Angeles, California. Mark and Sherry Schindler were united in marriage on December 23, 1967 in Irwindale, California. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He then joined the United States Air Force where he served as a Flight Engineer. He served in Rescue and Recovery on C-130’s in the Philippines and Okinawa. He was also stationed in Dover, Delaware and served with the 9th MAS on C-5’s and C-141’s. Mark served for twenty years and received numerous medals and awards before retiring as a Master Sergeant. He then worked for Flight Safety at Altus Air Force Base. Mark loved helping others out and served in many capacities. He was a lifetime member of the VFW where he served as Post Commander, District Commander and an Oklahoma State Commander. He was an All American Post Commander and received the title of Honorary Brigadier General from the Oklahoma Defense Force, of which he was very proud of. Mark was a member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, serving in the Knights of Columbus and as a CCD Teacher. He coached baseball for numerous years, was involved in the Order of the Arrow in Scouts and substituted at the Southwest Technology Center. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, hunting and his friends. He loved spending time with his family and was known for his dry sense of humor and silly antics. Mark was a loving man with a generous heart and a ready smile. He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Brandon Snow, a sister, Jacqueline Tidwell, and a brother, Glenn “Rusty” Richardson. He leaves behind his wife, Sherry, of the home; a son, Danny Richardson and wife, Melissa, of Mustang, OK; two daughters, Karen Buddenhagen of Altus, OK and Donna Haack and husband, Ed, of Rockwall, TX; a daughter of the heart, Tami Greer; nine grandchildren, Brittiany Spain and husband, Jarid, Ryan, Tori and Nathan Buddenhagen, Cameron Richardson, Taylor Styles, Jadyn Richardson, Kaden and Evan Haack; a granddaughter of the heart, Delilah Eiler; two great grandchildren, Gabriel Spain and Rylan Dennison; a brother, Father Gregory Heidenblut of Castro Valley, CA; a sister, Tracey Guerrero and husband, Samuel, of Montebello, CA; and numerous other nieces and nephews whom he cared about very much. A rosary and vigil will be held at 7:00 PM Thursday at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mark’s name to the Clinton Veteran’s Center Recreation Services, PO Box 1209, Clinton, OK 73601. http://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/C9B2GWPB69H28MLR