Lt. Col. Richard D. Stout, aged 79, passed away on June 15, 2024, in Spanish Fork, Utah. Born on May 26, 1945, to Donald and Marie Stout, Richard was a strong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and lived his life as an example to all of Christ-like love and devotion.

Richard was eternally sealed to his sweetheart Joni (Joan McFarlane Stout, deceased) on August 8, 1969. After graduating from Weber State College and the Air Force ROTC program, Richard and Joan moved to Arizona to complete Richard’s flight school. Richard completed flight training about the same time that their 1 ^st child was born. In fact, his crewmates often joked about which would come first – pilot status, or fatherhood. Richard was stationed at Rickenbacker Air Force base near Columbus, Ohio and quickly sent to serve in the Vietnam War where he flew a KC-135 refueling jet. After returning from the war, Richard left active duty, but his love of flying kept him in the Air Force Reserves.  During that time in Ohio, their other 5 children were born. Eventually that same love of flying led him to accepting a position as the commander of the reserve unit in Colorado Springs, CO where he found his second true love – the C-130 Hercules. Richard spent 16 years flying in the MAFFS unit in Colorado Springs where he fought wildfires, provided troop support, and participated in many other essential missions. Life then took Richard and his wife to Georgia where Richard ran the simulator and trained the new C-130 crews. After retiring at the age of 65, Richard and his wife moved to Spanish Fork, Utah.

Richard and Joan had 6 children, 21 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren during their 53 years of marriage. During that time, Richard was an amazing father and grandfather who taught his family the value of hard work and the importance of family. Richard is remembered by those who knew him as a great man who was humble, kind, generous, and loving.

Richard earned a master’s degree in Aeronautical Science with a certificate in Instructional System Design from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the rank of Lt. Col. In the Air Force.

Richard is predeceased by his parents, his brother Jeffrey Paul, his grandson Zachary, and his beloved wife, Joan. Richard is survived by his siblings: Roger, Clif, Marlowe, Michele, Alan, and Eugene; and by his children: Shanna, Kasey, Ryan, Ragan, Lindsey, and Laurel; and his grandchildren: Danielle, Billy, Trey, Andrew, Alli, Nathanael, Sami, Hannah, Vicki, Lauren, Noah, Ezra, Tiri, Zoe, Caitlyn, Joshua, Josh, Ben, Adam, Nicole, and Alex; and his great-grandchildren: William, Aelin, Rhys, Clare, and Owen; and his wife, Ruth Stiver.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 1158 E 1240 S, Spanish Fork, UT on Saturday, June 22 at 1pm. A visitation will occur at the same location at 11:45am. He will be interred at the Spanish Fork Cemetery.

He will forever be missed by his “peoples.”

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