A celebration of life for Richard Stanley “Stan” Fletcher of San Tan Valley, Arizona will be held on August 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Gruver, Texas. On July 25, 2026, Stan passed from this earth into the arms of his Savior, Jesus. He was born on May 4, 1965 in Waco, Texas, and was raised in Gruver, where he had a very happy childhood with his parents and two siblings, graduating from Gruver High School with the class of 1983.

At the age of ten years Stan put his faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized in First Baptist Church where he remained a member until his adult life.

From a very young age, Stan had a love for music and had a guitar in his hands from the time he could walk. He was a talented musician with a beautiful voice and music became his passion. As a teenager and into young adulthood, Stan helped form and was a part of several different bands where he played guitar and sang, along with some of his dearest friends. Later in life his joy became using his abilities to bring honor and glory to God. He wrote and recorded countless songs over the years, and released a record of worship music, “Never Ending Love” in 2001. He was a worship pastor at Palisades Church in Federal Way, Washington, for many years, as well as a worship pastor at New Life Church in Cave Creek, Arizona.

Stan lived his own prodigal son story, and upon his return, wasted no time spreading God's love wherever he went. He loved his family and friends deeply, and strived each day to honor his father and mother, to love his neighbor as himself, to show compassion for the stranger, the widow, and the downtrodden, and desired to do so much more.

He had a strong love for—and was drawn to—the outdoors, appreciating every detail of God's creation, and being most at peace and in his element hiking in the desert lands of Arizona. He had a passion for health and fitness and at the time of his passing was signed up for both a Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim hike and a marathon.

Stan loved every baby he ever saw, and each one brought a smile to his face, particularly his own grandbabies. They brought him so much joy, and he was most proud of his children and grandchildren.

Stan took nothing for granted, and appreciated the little things, like watching hummingbirds at the bird feeder or a rare thunderstorm approach the deserts of Arizona. He didn't store up earthly treasures as he understood we take nothing with us but our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. He shared a special love with his wife of just a little over a year, and although their time together was too short, it was so meaningful as they honored the Lord together, serving in many ways, including their involvement in the Tres Dias community, a Christian movement dear to their hearts that holds three-day spiritual weekends focusing on Jesus and loving on people. Stan wasn't perfect but he was genuine, humble and kind, and had the best sense of humor. If you had the privilege of knowing him, you were seen and loved by him.

Stan is survived by his wife, Stephanie Fletcher, of San Tan Valley, Arizona; one daughter, Lindsay Ward and husband Lars, of Phoenix, Arizona; a son, Nathan Fletcher and wife Kirsten, of Tacoma, Washington; three precious grandchildren, Vivienne and Juliana Ward and Elliott Fletcher, with another one on the way; his mother and father, Carolyn and Richie Fletcher, of Gruver; one sister, Lori Fletcher Messer and husband Darrell, of Gruver; one brother, Tim Fletcher and wife Jennifer, of Canadian; four nephews: Matt Messer and wife Shanae, of Gruver; Miles Messer and wife Abbi, of Gruver; Mason Fletcher and wife Elizabeth, of Canyon; and Landry Fletcher, of Canadian; one niece, Reilly Fletcher Westbrook and husband Nik, of Amarillo; and nine little great-nieces and great-nephews, whom he adored as well and they loved him.

He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Carole Anne Day, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; a sister-in-law Shana Phenix, of Chandler, Arizona; a brother-in-law, Scott Spears and wife Sandy, of Osawatomie, Kansas; and a stepson, Gage Brasch and fiance Krissy, of San Tan Valley, Arizona.

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Gay and Lillie Fletcher; his maternal grandparents, Carroll Dean and Ona McClenagan; and many beloved aunts and uncles.

Thank you for your overwhelming love and support. Stan had no idea how loved he was and what a difference he had made in so many lives. He would want his life and death not to be in vain, but that the ripple effects of it would bring many to Christ.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to Tres Dias of Central Arizona, 3447 E Dakota Dr., San Tan Valley, AZ 85143-1720. Venmo @Stephanie-Spears-27 (designate). Service will be livestreamed on Gruver’s First Baptist Church Facebook.