More detail on this person: US Army's Charles Richard Stutzman passed away on May 20, 2024. Charles was drafted into the Army where he went on to fly helicopters. He was sent to Vietnam as part of the Silver Spur Scouts, Rat Pack of the 17th Air Calvary: "I have flown among the trees and seen the faces of the enemy", Call Sign "Spur one three". He loved to fly and was sometimes regarded as a bit of a hot dogger and often reprimanded on his "hot" landings. He spent seven months in country and during that time was awarded: the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Contact Medal, the Army Aviation Badge, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Air Medal with 25 Oak Leaf Clusters, three awards for Valor, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and one O/S Bar. One of his army buddies from Vietnam commented that they had "flown so many missions together and he could always count on Charles to have my back and I had his". He never recounted his time in Vietnam until much later in life and so as kids growing up the family was unaware of his heroics and the influence, he had on those across the globe. He was the genuine article. Charles served during a war that wasn't popular with the American people. The Stutzman kids didn't know until recently how much of a quiet hero their Daddy was. They always knew he had been wounded in combat and that he was a pilot instructor. They got bits and pieces over the years, but not really anything much more than he was there in Vietnam. In reality, he served with honor and courage. He was awarded a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, a Broken Wing Safety Award, and four Air Medals while there for his heroism in aerial flight and other meritorious efforts. They never heard about any of these. He was missing 2 toes on one foot and that was normal. They never knew how much his service affected him. He never let them know while they were growing up. He silently bore his wounds and his scars. He was wounded while flying a reconnaissance mission - - - - - - - - - - Charles Richard Stutzman Charles Richard Stutzman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor, and friend passed peacefully from this earth on May 20, 2024, at Palo Pinto General Hospital with his family at his side. Charles was born in Pasadena, Texas on February 27, 1944, to Esther Marie and Charles Valiant Stutzman. Charles attended high school and one year of college in Haviland, Kansas at Friends Bible College and Academy. There he met and married his high school sweetheart, Beverly June Worden on June 12, 1965. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in October of that same year and would go on to fly helicopters in the Vietnam War. His final duty station was at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas where he completed his Army career as a Captain teaching Vietnamese students how to fly. He went on to stay in Mineral Wells where he and Beverly raised their three children and owned several businesses. He owned Brazos Printing from 1970-1989, the Mineral Wells Reporter from 1977-1982, Tejas Coach Line Incorporated from 1983-1994, and Tejas Coach Works from 1984-2019. In addition to being a businessman, he was also involved in his church family, the First Church of the Nazarene, and served as a Gideon doing jail house ministry for many years. He is survived by: his loving wife, Beverly June Stutzman; his children and their spouses: Susan Ann (Suzie) and Dr. Daryl Ray Pate, DC of Fort Worth, Texas, Sheryl Lea and Bryan Caldwell of Azle, Texas; and Charles Dean (Charlie) and Camile Stutzman of Tucson, Arizona; his God Daughter, Lesley Janine Bohn; his grandchildren: Brianna Mechelle Johnston, Meagan Dawn Pate, Bradley Dean Hart, Chrystyne Leann Hart, Hailey Beth Hart, Cammarie June Stutzman, Charles Dean Stutzman, Jr., and Jai Pierson; his great-grandchild: Cambridge Watson Dean Johnston; and his brothers and spouses: Frank and Mary Stutzman of Kemah, Texas, Dwayne Stutzman and Sara Stutzman-Davis of Asheville, North Carolina; his sisters-in-law, Betty Ann Everson of Mineral Wells, Texas, Marcia Ash of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Carolyn Worden of Orrville, Ohio. Also, survived by many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents: Charles and Esther Stutzman; his brother: Ray Stutzman; and his grandson-in-law: Tyler Ross Johnston. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either: Barclay College, 607 N Kingman, Haviland Kansas 67059, Donate to Barclay - Barclay College - Christian College Kansas; or the National Vietnam War Museum, PO Box 1779, Weatherford, Texas 76086, https://secure.qgiv.com/for/thenationalvietnamwarm useum . The family would like to extend our sincere thanks to the ICU nurses and staff at Palo Pinto General Hospital for the wonderful care they provided for our husband/father during his last days. Also, for any Veteran in need of guidance or assistance with navigating the VA, we highly recommend the Dale K Graham Veteran's Foundation, Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation | Veterans Administration Disability Claims Assistance | 1233 W Lindsey St. Norman, OK 73069 (dalekgrahamveteransfoundation.org) . They were instrumental in the final years of our dad's life in ensuring that he received the benefits that were needed to help us through his last years. A Celebration of Life will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the National Vietnam War Museum with visitation an hour prior.
This information was last updated 06/27/2025
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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