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Richard "Dick" L. Stites

04/01/1937 - 08/29/2023

Obituary For Richard "Dick" L. Stites

Kansas City, MO
Richard "Dick" L. Stites, 86, passed away August 29, 2023, at 11:50 am, at the Northcare Hospice House in Kansas City, MO, surrounded by his loving family.
Dick was born April 1, 1937, in Highland Park, MI, to Elmer and Ila (Block) Stites who both preceded him in death. On June 20, 1958 he married Janice (Rainey) Stites who preceded him in death on March 17, 1999.
Dick graduated from Byron High School in Byron, MI. He then enlisted into the United States Navy and was honorably discharged after four years of service. Dick was a carpenter for most of his career. Then later in life found a calling to become an ordained Pastor. He loved the Lord and volunteered his time with various churches throughout his later years. Dick cherished his family and loved his children and grandchildren dearly.
Dick is survived by his children, Doug Stites of Kansas City, MO, Debbie (Scott) Blair of Kansas City, MO, Mark (Stacey) Stites of Parkville, MO, grandchildren, Tyler Stites, David Blair, Amanda Blair, Dylan Blair, Kayla Stites, Kyle Stites, Kaleb Stites, Michael Morris all of Kansas City, MO, Jon Morris and Josh Morris of Lakewood, CO, siblings, Margaret (Robert) Skinner of Byron, MI, Eugene (Clara) Stites of Lima, OH and David (Barbara) Stites of Lima, OH.
He is preceded in death by his infant son, Richard Lee Stites, Jr., infant sister, Thelma Stites, sister, Elmer "Sonny" (June) Stites, Jr., sister, Betty (Robert) Aspinall, and brother, William (Esther) Stites.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11:00am at CHILES - LAMAN FUNERAL HOMES, EASTSIDE CHAPEL. Val Aspinall to officiate the service. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery following the service.
Visitation will be on Friday, September 1, 2023, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the EASTSIDE CHAPEL at 828 Bellefontaine Avenue, Lima, Ohio 45801.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church, 501 Randolph Road, Kansas City, MO 64161
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.

Services

1 Sep

Visitation

05:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Chiles-Laman Funeral Home - East Side Chapel 828 Bellefontaine Avenue Lima, OH 45801 Get Directions »

2 Sep

Funeral Service

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Chiles-Laman Funeral Home - East Side Chapel 828 Bellefontaine Avenue Lima, OH 45801 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

09/01/2023

Jon Morris

How could one man be so patient and joyful? I always found Papa with a smile. It didn't matter the situation. He could have been corralling grandkids at the Zoo while leaning over two canes because of a botched surgery. It could have been the trick candles Debbie put on his birthday cake that nearly burned down the house. It could have been the effort he put into guessing which twin I was. It didn't matter, the man was always smiling. He has been exemplary on how one should live life. Although I am saddened by loss, I will celebrate his life with a smile 🙂
09/01/2023

Josh Morris

I never really understood why Papa gave us grandkids $20 every year around christmas. No card, no note, just an envelope labeled Joshua. Recently I've given this more thought. Obviously, I think it's because he saw the card as a frivolous package that all the grandkids were going to crumple up and throw at one another moments after they grabbed the real gift of $20. But I think we can use this as an analogy for our lives.We live day to day allowing small things to wear us down and get under our skin instead of focusing on the real gifts we're given. Sometimes these gifts are disguised in frivolous packages like conflicts and arguments, and exercise, and chores, and pain and loss, but when we rip away the frivolous packaging we'll find the real gifts like family and friendships, and laughter and health and a place to call home. Real gifts like Pops. A lot of pain and loss surrounds my memory of Papa right now. I can't even imagine what some other are going through losing your dad. However, I know as much as you do Pop's doesn't like packaging his gifts. So I'm challenging everyone to rip off the unwanted packaging and take the gift he's given us like joy, and love, and laughter, and wisdom, and discipleship
08/31/2023

Emily Robinson

He and Mrs Janice invested in our teenage years when we went to church together. Always having us teens over to their house playing games and having the best time. I will always appreciate the investment they made in us. Forever grateful. God is good. Heaven is sweeter.