Lou Conner Sticher

Lou Conner Sticher of Mead, OK, passed from this earth on January 18,2025. Lou was born in Empire City, OK, on July 13, 1931. He was the 5th child of Verna Mae and Edward Albert Sticher. He grew up in Walters, OK, with his three sisters, Vivian Fern, Camerene Rose, and Alma Jean, and his brother, Burl Dean. Lou attended Walter’s public schools. During his youth, Lou worked at various jobs, such as wheat harvesting, farming, soda jerk, and full-service gas station attendant. At age 16, Lou joined the 45th National Guard of Oklahoma on September 22, 1947, serving in the F Company of the 179th Infantry until 1951. After serving in the National Guard of Oklahoma, Lou enlisted in the Air Force on January 4, 1951. Lou served in the Air Force during both war and peace time, serving in both the Vietnam and Korean Wars. He and his family were stationed at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, TX, Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico, Lockbourne Air Force Base in Columbus, Ohio, Altus Air Force Base in Altus, OK, and Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, LA. During his time in the Air Force, he served with multiple Bombardment Wings, serving as crew chief, navigator, flight engineer, aircraft mechanical support, Staff Sergeant, Technical Sergeant, Master Sergeant, and aircraft accident investigator. During his time in the service, he supported B-29, B-36, and B-52 aircraft missions, both on the ground and in the air. He served in peacetime during the Cold War with the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and several nuclear testing and nuclear deterrent missions, such as Operation Curtain Raiser and Operation Castle. He served 20 years, 10 months, and 12 days with the Air Force, retiring in August 1,1971 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (SMSGT) from Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, LA. Lou married the love of his life, Marion Alice (Rusty) Bryant, on July 4, 1956, in Weatherford, TX. They were married for 58 years before Rusty’s passing in 2014 and were blessed with four children. In 1978, Lou and Marion moved to Mead, OK. Lou was a loving husband, father, son, and brother. Lou’s passions were his family, friends, the Air Force, and his various pets over the years. During his time in OK, after retiring from the Air Force Base, Lou worked for Durant Bolt and Nut Company and Coors in Denison, Texas, retiring from Coors. Lou was a member of Faith Lutheran Church of Durant, OK. Lou is survived by his three daughters: Sara Jane Anglen of Eagle River, AK; Tracy Lualta Sticher of Benbrook, TX and DeAnna Faye Jenkins and husband Clinton, of Grand Prairie, TX; grandchildren Ben Anglen and wife Lisa of Anchorage, AK, Julia Bauer and husband Andrew of Downers Grove, IL; great grandchildren Alice and Emma Anglen of Anchorage, AK, and Noah and Luca Bauer of Downers Grove, IL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion (Rusty) Sticher; son, Michael Herbert Sticher; parents, Verna and Ed Sticher, sisters Vivian Fern Morrow, Camerene Grassman and husband John Grassman, and Alma Jean Sanders; brother Burl Dean Sticher; and son-in-law Tom Anglen. Lou was a strong Christian man, being raised in the Walter’s Baptist Church, where his father was a deacon. Through his military career, he built relationships with various Air Force chaplains and began attending services through the Lutheran churches. In 2014, he began attending services at Faith Lutheran Church in Durant, Oklahoma. Memorial services will be held on January 21st, at 2:00 pm at Faith Lutheran Church, 3802 North Washington, Durant, OK. The final resting place for Lou and Marion will be in the Sticher family plot at Fairlawn Cemetery in Elk City, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, https://www.calfarley.org, or Faith Lutheran Church, Durant, Oklahoma. https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/827ZB22BQW8X44S6

Lou Conner Sticher

July 13, 1931 - January 18, 2025