Whenever we (from Alabama) went to visit Dad, he'd take us on a tour of the town and country side to see all of the oil wells that had developed in the area. I spent a week with him a couple of months before he died and we drove out to the farm (which sadly looks nothing as it did when we kids were growing up) and he showed me where his parents and grandparents used to live. I'd drive him to his radiation treatments and we'd stop for lunch where he'd start with a Bloody Mary. I knew he was really sick when, at the end of my week there, he no longer wanted his Bloody Mary.

The December before Dad passed, I took all of my kids and my granddaughters to see him. We didn't know at the time that his cancer had come back, but I think he must've known his time was short. Dad never seemed to be the sentimental type, but as he got older he became much kinder and gentler. Dad asked if I thought my kids would mind if he made a little video while we were there of him telling the kids about his side of the family. He had realized that my kids never really knew him and wanted to leave them with that. I, of course, told him we'd all be thrilled to have him do that. What a GIFT. I am so thankful for the last few years as I finally had the relationship with my Dad that I'd always wanted. (written by Shelia)

Robert "Buster" Stice passed away July 9 2010, losing his battle with prostate cancer. He was born Sept. 18, 1924, the son of Glenn and Fanchon (Look) Stice. He graduated from Webster High School and served his country in the United States Army in the Pacific during World War II. On Feb. 27, 1945, he married Wilma "Bill" Barnes in Hays. Buster was a farmer and cattleman all of his life and was a member of the Stockton United Methodist Church, the Monroe-Taylor-Barnes VFW Post No. 8873, and Pheasants Forever. He enjoyed playing cards (especially cribbage), socializing with his friends and spending time with his family. He was so happy to get to meet his great-granddaughters, Sammy & Natalie, who took to him immediately.

Survivors include his son Jim and Kathy Stice of Stockton; daughters Sinda Moores of Sun City, Ariz,, Shelia Champion of Hazel Green, Ala., and Shelly and Lyle Williams of Ellinwood; grandchildren Jared,Jacob and Kyleigh Stice, James Nore and Sandy, Mandy Cloud and Scotty, Justin Nore and Ashley, Audrey Nore; and great-grandchildren Samantha Cloud and Natalie Nore. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma "Bill" Stice, daughter Sara Jo Richards, brother Duane "Corky" Stice, and infant sister, his parents, and granddaughter Stacy Kriley Beebe.

Burial was in Stockton Cemetery with military honors provided by the Monroe-Taylor-Barnes VFW Post No. 8873.