Clarence Richard Bresson, longtime Bartlesville resident and retired
Phillips chemist, lived an extraordinarily full and loving life. He
loved the Lord, his family and his community, and he shone like a bright
light in this world. He was 93 years young when he died Friday in
Bartlesville.
Clarence or Dick as he was known was born the son of Lawrence Alexander
and Helen Pauline (Girard) Bresson on July 30, 1925, in Wooster, Ohio.
Growing up with his twin brother Larry during the Great Depression
proved to be great fun and they loved playing practical jokes. Together
they delivered milk every morning from the dairy the family owned. Dick
graduated from Wooster High School in 1943 and entered the U.S. Army
serving during World War II in the South Pacific, Guam and the Mariana
Islands with the Signal Corps. Once honorably discharged he furthered
his education at Wooster College for his bachelor’s degree. He completed
course work at Ohio State before transferring to Washington State Univ.
to finish his PhD.
Dick moved to Bartlesville in 1958 to start his career with Phillips
Petroleum Co. as a research chemist. Over 27 years of dedicated service,
Dick received 73 patents related to various projects he was involved in.
Shortly after moving to Bartlesville he attended a church singles picnic
and quickly made an impression on Mary Lou Lannan. After some time she
decided to give him a chance and they were united in marriage on July 2,
1960, at St John Catholic Church.
Once retired Dick pursed his passion full-time for volunteering. He was
a Boy Scout leader, where he was recognized as a Vigil Honor member of
the Order of the Arrow and received the Silver Beaver Award. He received
training at Philmont in Scouter Development, went on to train many local
leaders in the Cherokee Area Council, focusing on troops meeting at
catholic churches, and received the Bronze Pelican Award and St. George
Award. At church he was a Bible study leader, and a 4th degree Knight
with the Knights of Columbus. Dick was a hospice volunteer, and he spent
many years volunteering at Jane Phillips Hospital in the ER and recovery
areas. He volunteered with the Philips Petroleum Museum once it opened.
He worked with the Osage County Election Board and helped prepare taxes
for local families through local organizations. Dick enjoyed operating
ham radios and was a storm spotter. Mary Lou went along on one watch and
decided it wasn’t for her once the car started shaking violently in the
wind.
Dick is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Mary Lou of the home;
three children Michael Bresson and Sheila Murray of Houston, Helen
Bresson of Bartlesville, and Rhonda Braselton and Lon of Allen, TX; one
brother John Bresson and Elnore of Berea, OH; two sisters, Collette
Krantz of Chicago, and Maurita Grindle and John of Apple Valley, MN;
five grandchildren Richard Bresson, Jacob Braselton, Sarah Braselton,
Sean Bresson and Declan Bresson; one great granddaughter Carolina
Bresson and special Schnoodle Bart.
He is preceded in death by his
parents, twin brother Larry Bresson, brother Tommy Bresson and sister
Pat Wernet.
Dick’s family will receive friends at the Davis Family Funeral Home –
Walker Brown Chapel, 918-333-7665, 4201 Nowata Rd, Bartlesville, on
Tuesday, December 4, from 7-8 p.m. A rosary will be said at 8:30 pm in
the Walker Brown Chapel.
Funeral mass will be held Wed.,10am at St. John Before the Latin Gate
Catholic Church in Bartlesville. Interment will follow at Memorial Park
Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis
Family Funeral Home – Walker Brown Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the
family suggests that donations may be made to St. John Catholic School
or Hopestone Cancer Support Center of Bartlesville.
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