Richard Calton Sr.

Richard Dale Calton Sr., son of the late Robert and Mamie (Moore) Calton, was born February 11, 1947, in Hartville, Missouri, and departed this life May 9, 2026, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 79 years, 2 months, and 28 days of age.

Shortly after birth, Richard and his family moved to San Diego, California. Throughout his youth, the family lived in various places, including Rexburg, Idaho, as well as Seattle and Wilkeson, Washington. Growing up in the spirit of his generation, Richard spent his childhood playing in the snow, finding a bit of mischief, and exploring the great outdoors with his brothers and sisters, even braving the occasional cave. In high school, Richard was an active athlete and played football. During his senior year, his family returned to Hartville for a short time, and he graduated from Hartville High School before eventually returning to Washington.

In 1965, Richard was united in marriage to Cindy Allen. They shared many years together until Cindy’s passing. Richard later found companionship and love again. In December 2022, he was united in marriage to Judy Carriger. While their time together was short, Richard and Judy enjoyed going on drives in the country and going out to eat. Richard spent the majority of his adult life in Washington, where he lived in Burien, Kent, Lower Burnett, and then Wilkeson, where he resided the longest for over 20+ years. It was in Seattle, Washington, where he owned and operated his own glass company (Calton Glass). A specialist in glazing, he was widely considered the best in the business. He frequently talked about his time in Lower Burnett, Washington, and wished he had never sold his glass company.

In 2016, he returned to Hartville, where he purchased his second farm. Throughout his life, Richard raised all kinds of animals, including goats, chickens, and horses. He loved to play with his tractors and was able to have two cows as pets, “Elsie” and “Flossy,” and a small bull he raised from a baby named "Shorty." He was incredibly proud of his horse, “Duke.” He always said Duke was too smart for his own good and was always finding a way to escape, including crawling under a fence on his knees and then releasing the latch with his lip so the other horses could escape as well. He also shared a special bond with his dog, “Pedro,” who was more like a son to him than a pet. He was happy at his farm in Missouri, and even though he got married and moved, he kept his farm so he could play with his tractors and continue farming.

Richard was a man of deep kindness and a famously infectious sense of humor. A goofball at heart, he loved to crack jokes and kid around. Even throughout his illness, his spirit remained bright. He continued to joke with his family and the nursing staff, bringing smiles to those around him. He loved Football and his favorite team was the “Seahawks." Richard enjoyed spending time with his buddy, Claira. They were always teasing each other and picking fun.

Above all, Richard was a believer in God. He dearly loved his church family at Hartville First Baptist Church and found great strength in his faith.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mamie Calton, his first wife, Cindy Calton, one brother, Donald Calton, and his sister-in-law, Vicky Calton.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Calton, of their home in Hartville, Missouri, two sons, Richard D. Calton, Jr. and his wife, Denise, of Mansfield, Missouri, and Mike Lansdown and his wife, Becky, of Hartville, Missouri, three daughters, Nicole Calton of Hartville, Missouri, Tashina Calton and her boyfriend, Ryan, of Hartville, Missouri, and Syrena Turley and her husband, Rick, of Hartville, Missouri, eight grandchildren, Joshua Campbell and his wife, Dahni, Daniel Calton and girlfriend, Becca, Jonathan Long and his wife, Ashley, Alan Schaffer, Cory Lansdown and his wife, Taylor, Derek Vaneaton, Katie Snow and her husband, Jermey, and Dakota Turley and his wife, Amanda, six great-grandchildren, Alicia, Anna, Gage, Lilly, Carleigh, and Claira, and one more great-grandbaby on the way, three brothers, Jimmy Calton and his wife, Penny, of Mesa, Arizona, Jerry Calton and his wife, Sally, of Camino Island, Washington, and Robert “Sonny” Calton of Hartville, Missouri, four sisters, Barbara Blackman and her husband, Tony, of Federal Way, Washington, Donna Steeley and her husband, Tony, of Nixa, Missouri, Patty Whitney and her husband, Marty, of Federal Way, Washington, and Diane Radford of Orting, Washington, as well as several nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.

Memorial contributions can be made in Richard's memory to Moore Cemetery or the Hartville First Baptist Church Building Fund. Contributions can be dropped off in person to Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home in Hartville, or by mail to P.O. Box 236, Hartville, Missouri, 65667.