Thank You For Your Service!

Dr. Claude Edgar Stuteville a respected educator and beloved family member passed from this life on Thursday, September 24, 2015 into the arms of his loving Lord and Savior at the age of 80. He was born on March 13, 1935 in Durant, Oklahoma to Claude Merle and Alma Louise (Hubbard) Stuteville. Claude married the joy of his life Betty Jo Joines in Brownwood, Texas on February 7, 1981. They shared 33 1/2 happy years together.

Claude graduated from Durant High School and shortly thereafter joined the Army. He served overseas with the 6th Infantry in Berlin, Germany. After his honorable discharge he enrolled at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma and graduated in 1959 with a major in Industrial Education and a minor in Geography. Claude later earned a Doctorate in Education at North Texas State University. He taught for 23 years at SOSU's Industrial Technology department and other areas before retiring in 1990. Claude then accepted a position as the Dean of the Auto Restoration department at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. After that tenure he accepted a teaching position with the Department of Defense teaching in Karlsruhe, Germany. This gave him and Betty an opportunity to travel all over Europe. After two years in the active Army he continued in the Army Reserve and National Guard for a period of 37 years. During this time he served in many different capacities but the most enjoyable was being a liaison for West Point in New York. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1995. Claude had many hobbies he enjoyed; reading, fishing, hunting and woodworking.

Dr. Stuteville is survived by his beloved wife and partner in life, Betty Stuteville of the home; children, James M. Stuteville and wife Mary Dougherty of Catonsville, Maryland, Leah Ann Brooks and husband Alan of Durant, Oklahoma, Claude Eric Stuteville and wife Ashley of Durant, Oklahoma, Karen Raye Starnes and husband Ronald of Durant, Oklahoma and Dena Kaye Kitchens of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Alysia Brooks of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Alex Brooks of West Frankfort, Illinois, Jackson Stuteville of Durant, Oklahoma, Jillian Sheffield of Durant, Oklahoma, Austin Sheffield of Durant, Oklahoma, John Ross of Geneva, Switzerland, Dallas Brown of San Antonio, Texas and Brooke Brown of Durant, Oklahoma; sister, Barbara Taylor of Desoto, Texas and many other friends, family and colleagues.

Mr. Stuteville was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Alma Stuteville; sister, Anna Bass and spouse Johnny; uncle Clyde Hubbard and spouse Nona Rambo Hubbard; grandparents, Noah Edgar and Emma Hubbard Stuteville.

A church service to celebrate his life will be at 2:00 PM Monday, September 28, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Durant, Oklahoma with Rev. James Robinson officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Joe Barrett, Tommy Wyche, Dick Bogard, James Mitchell, Alex Brooks and Jackson Stuteville. Honorary pallbearers will be John Massey, Bob Rawlings , Leonard Morgan and Willie Starnes.

Family and friends may send online condolences and view tributes at www.holmescoffeymurray.com.

Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, Durant, Oklahoma.

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