Richard Arthur Stelplugh

Richard Arthur ""Dick"" Stelplugh, 78, of Arvada, Colorado peacefully entered Heaven on March 30, 2011. Before moving to Colorado in 2009, he was a long-time resident of Springfield, Missouri. Dick was born November 16, 1932, in Meadville, Missouri to Henry Arthur and Mary Jane Newsom Stelplugh. Dick grew up on the family farm and graduated from Meadville High School in 1950. He attended Northeast Missouri State College in Kirksville, graduating in 1954 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He met and fell in love with Betty Lou Overton while attending college. They married January 2, 1955 and were together 56 years. For over 40 years, he worked as a bank executive, accountant, and auditor in several Missouri locations, including Macon, Chillicothe, Forsyth, Bolivar, and Springfield. Dick was known for his honesty, integrity and work ethic. As a Christian man, he demonstrated a strong faith throughout his life, serving as a deacon and treasurer in several Southern Baptist churches where his family lived. He was a family man and tremendous fan of his wife and three children, following them across the state to many academic, sports and music events. He enjoyed family travel, playing golf, doing yard work, shopping, and relaxing with his cats. In later years, Dick focused his passion and energy on his three grandchildren, of whom he was very proud. Dick's most prominent trait was his sense of humor and dry wit. Even as his memory diminished, he was still able to joke and make people laugh. His sweet and gentle spirit endeared him to many people throughout his lifetime. Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Betty Lou Overton Stelplugh, of Arvada, CO; daughters, Christine Lynn Stelplugh (partner, Helen Wagner), of Arvada; Rebecca Jo Ray (husband, Mark Ray), of Lubbock, TX; three grandchildren: Rachel Lee Stelplugh Dukes, Nathaniel Mark Stelplugh Dukes and Logan George Richard Ray; sister, Mary Elizabeth Dewey (husband, Caryol Dewey); several nieces and nephews and his constant loving companions, Feisty and Furby. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Richard Mark Stelplugh, and sisters, Margaret Eloise Stelplugh and Betty Jean Heller. In lieu of a public memorial service, a private family gathering will be held. The family is inviting friends and neighbors to celebrate his life at an Open House, Sunday, April 3rd, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at his daughter's home: 12915 W. 77th Drive, Arvada, Colorado 80005. Memorial donations may be made in Dick's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 455 Sherman Street #500, Denver, Colorado 80203, or go online to www.alz.org/Colorado/. To share memories of Dick and condolences with his family, please click on the ""sign guestbook"" tab below.