Charles Claude Rister

The family will be welcoming friends for visitation at Bratcher Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 22, from 6:00-8:00 pm.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 23 at 10:00 am at the Bratcher Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Denison.

MSGT Rister was born November 27, 1960 to Charles Roy Rister and Lorraine A. Cooley in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. MSGT Rister was a 1979 graduate of Denison High School and began his military career June 6, 1979.

MSGT Rister served 22 faithful years in the U.S. Army. MSGT Rister attended basic training and AIT at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for Cannon Crewman training (MOS 13 Bravo); September 1979 to March 1982 assigned to the 2nd Battalion/5th Field Artillery at Babenhausen Germany; April 1982 to April 1983 stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington with the 3rd Battalion/34th Field Artillery; May 1983 to June 1983 attended training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for Lance Missile Crewman (MOS 13 November); July 1983 to July 1984 stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma at the Lance Missile School; August 1984 to August 1988 stationed at Oderzo, Italy at the 12th U.S. Army Field Artillery Warhead Detachment; September 1988 to August 1990 stationed at Corpus Christi, Texas as a recruiter; September 1990 stationed at Herzo Base, Germany with the 2nd Battalion/12th Field Artillery; April 1992 to March 1993 attended training at Fort Gordon, Georgia as a communication Security Equipment repairer (MOS29 Sierra); April 1993 to March 1996 stationed at Ft. Richie, Maryland with the 111th Signal Battalion; April 1996 to March 1997 stationed at Yongsan, South Korea with the headquarters and Headquarters Company 1st Signal Brigade; and from April 1997 to June 2001 assigned with the 75th Division at Fort Riley with Duty at Camp Dodge, Iowa as an instructor and non-commissioned officer in charge. He received full retirement June 2001.

MSGT Rister’s distinguished career and awards included 2 Meritorious Service medals, 7 Army Commendations, 5 Army achievement medals, Korean Defense metal, National Defense Service metal, 4 overseas deployments totaling 9 years (4 years in Germany, 4 years in Italy, and 1 year in Korea), Expert Marksmanship badge, Recruiter badge, German Schutzenshur, Grayson College Deans Honor Roll, Texoma Heroes First Recipient, 2-time VFW Commander, and a lifetime VFW member.

MSGT Rister was a brave and loyal soldier, as well as a patient and loving father and grandfather who will be dearly missed by all.

He is survived by his daughter Adele Nicole Rose (Rister) and husband Eric Rose; grandson Landen Cox; granddaughter Kaylee Rose; sons Charles Claude Rister and spouse Angel, and Eric Armstrong and spouse Cassie Tonasket; sister Adele Birnbaum; niece Tammy Hall; nephews J. Birnbaum, Raymond Smith, Michael Milstead, Dwayne Milstead, Donald Lee Milstead, and Ricky Milstead; uncle Robert Cooley, Michael Rister and several cousins, and a special friend.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Lorraine Cooley; father, Charles R. Rister; sister, Alma Riggins; aunts, Carol Cooley and Emma Cooley; and nephew, Billy Milstead.