Russell Stuckey

Russell Albert Stuckey, 96, of Independence, MO, passed away, Monday, December 15, 2014 at his home. A visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 22nd, at Speaks Suburban Chapel. A service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the chapel. Burial will be at Floral Hills Cemetery, Kansas City. In honor of Russell’s life work, motorcycles are welcome!
Russell was born August 7, 1918 in Kansas City, MO to Albert and Iva (Wirtz) Stuckey. He graduated from Paseo High School in 1938. He eventually enlisted in the US Army as a Radio Operator for the 45th Infantry Division from 1942 until 1945. During the conflict he began corresponding with Virginia (Trueblood) also from Kansas City. After the war, he eventually met Virginia and married on August 14, 1946 and was together for 65 years. He got a job working for the Ford Plant in Kansas City and at the same time his father received a dealership from the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company. At which time he was assembling motorcycles in his father’s backyard and still holding down his job at the Ford Plant. He left the Ford Plant to work full time for his father at the Stuckey and Son Harley-Davidson dealership as salesman, parts man and mechanic from 1946 until 1964. He sold motorcycles for a while and continued to work on rebuilding motorcycle engines, selling parts and accessories until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Independence. He was a lifetime member of the 45th Infantry Division Association and a member of the Anzio Beachhead Association. He was preceded in death by his wife and his sister Betty Jo (Stuckey) Olson in 1991. He is survived by his son Jim and fiancé Lynn Ballard of Independence; nephews Ernest (Linda) Olson of Hermitage, MO, William (Pam) Olson of Springfield, MO and niece Janet (David) Woosley of Leawood, KS and many loving family and friends. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)