John Ray Stuckey was born November 7, 1926 on a small cotton farm in western Arkansas to John and Lois (Smith) Stuckey. John, his brother, Bill, and sister, Ruth, all attended country schools. Of course, they walked to and from school. John recalled how his mother would watch from the door as they left and was always relieved to see them come into view, safe at home again.  John passed three grades in one year and so was always younger than his classmates, but he was always a dedicated student.

With the times being difficult for families then, John's dad lost his farm and had to travel seeking work while John's mom stayed home with the children. As soon as he could after landing a job in the oil fields near Kilgore, Texas, he sent for his family and they were together again.

The constant in John's younger years was his education. After graduating from high school in 1942, John and his family joined the Baptist church and became quite active.

When World War II broke out, John pleaded with his mom and dad to somehow let him enlist at age 15. They wisely refused until two years later when they signed to let him enlist in the U.S. Navy. His first train ride was from Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA for boot camp. John recalled how he was a very lonely, scared "little boy", but a very happy and excited one." Although John wished for sea duty, he was stationed in several important land operations and served his country well.

Right after the Navy, John enrolled in college with the idea of becoming a petroleum engineer, which he studied for several years.

In August, 1947, however, while home after summer classes, John felt a "call" to ministry and began his career pastoring to his fellow man. He switched gears and enrolled at Baylor University, studying Bible and math. There he was called to his first church at Little Deer Creek Baptist Church about 25 miles south of Waco. He next went to Loco, OK where he enrolled in Seminary and graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. Through the years John continued to serve and to learn, eventually earning a PhD.

John and his wife, Olga, came to Wagoner First United Methodist Church in 1986 and stayed until John retired in 1996. After that he "filled in" for five years at the Chouteau First United Methodist Church.

John will be greatly missed by those whose lives he has touched. They will remember his gentleness and his gift with words that reached the hearts of so many.

John departed this life Sunday May 5, 2019 in Tulsa, OK at the age of 92 years. True to his nature of helping others, John made the decision to donate his remains to the OU Medical School.

He will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him. Survivors include his wife, Olga Stuckey of the home; three children, Ranelle (Stuckey) Massa of Atlanta, Georgia, Barbra Williams and her husband, Jeff, of Fredericksburg, Texas and Bryn Boatman and her husband, Jack, of Okmulgee, OK; grandchildren, Shanna Rein and husband, Kevin, Rocky Mahan, Jonathan Forehand and wife, Erica, Brandon Burns and wife, Alex, Edward Williams and Ethan Williams; great-grandchildren, Avery Rein, Ash Forehand, Nolan Rein, Hallie Burns and Reese Forehand; a brother, Tom Stuckey of Annapolis, Maryland; other extended family and many friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lois Stuckey; his son, Rick Stuckey; brother Bill Stuckey and sister Ruth Johns.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate John's life will be at 10:30 am Monday, May 13, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Wagoner, OK. Officiating will be the Reverend Connie Taylor and the Reverend Gloria Denton.

If preferred, donations in memory of Reverend Dr. John Stuckey may be made to the OU Medical School.