Richard Jefferson Cloud

Born: Dec 28, 1946           Died: Dec 8,2019

Richard Cloud originally of Haskell, Arkansas and latest of Houston, Texas, passed away quietly, without pain on the morning of 8 Dec 2019. He was named after his father Richard Cloud and born of his mother Alice Hicks. He had been fighting congestive heart failure for some years then passed due to complications of CHF and pneumonia.

One of his greatest wishes was to avoid the nursing home, and he was successful.

Richard retired from the US Army after more than 20 years after joining during Vietnam. He retired as a Sergeant First Class (E-7) and liked to say he was paid for more than twice as long as he worked which is a win in anyone's books. During his military service he served in Vietnam, two tours of duty in Europe as well as Washington, Louisiana and Texas. He served as a missile tech (Nike/Herc), as well as a recruiter, drill instructor and First Sergeant.

He spent the next phase of his life between Dekalb, Texas on a small farm and Houston, Texas.

Richard at various times went by Richard, RJ, SFC Cloud, but the title he liked the most was Dad.  He was happy to answer to Pop, PopPop, and or Gramp's just to name a few of his other favorites.  He is survived by a sister, 4 children, more grandchildren, nieces, nephews and step grand/kids that he could count on his fingers, as well as his wife Cherie. Having the young family members around as he aged was his greatest joy (though you would sometimes question this from all the teasing of them he did…dang that Pop!).

Following his wishes, his remains will be cremated and part released to the fields and bottoms in Arkansas where he played in as a child, part will be interred at the Houston National Cemetery with military honors.

The family will not be holding a formal funeral. His wishes were to the " love the ones you have close to you, than mourning those who have been lost" school of thought. If you knew him, rather than sending flowers,  be kind to someone, or help a stranger who it seems may be in need.