On Wednesday morning, December 30, 2015, Dwayne Bernard Stuckey was only 55 years old, when he was taken suddenly from his wife, Renea’s arms and entered the arms of his Savior. Through the years, he touched so many lives, with his loyalty to family and friends, his kind and generous big heart and his trustworthy and loving personality. Dwayne had this great sense of humor and would be the light in any room he entered. He was committed to serving his country and especially being a devoted husband. Even in his passing, Dwayne gave the ultimate gift of being an organ donor.
A time of gathering of family and friends will be held on Monday, January 4, from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, MN. Also at 9:30 am prior to the service at church. A Celebration of Life Service will be on Tuesday, January 5, at 11 am, at Bridgewood Church 6201 West 135 th Street, Savage, MN. Dwayne will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, with full military honors provided by the Fort Snelling Volunteer Rifle Squad.
It was on November 5, 1960 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Maurice and Mary (Salinas) Stuckey, welcomed the third of four children, Dwayne Bernard Stuckey. As a young boy, he took a great interest in sports, especially football. Dwayne struggled as an athlete at first, inspired by his older brother, with persistence and determination; he became achieved success in any sport he pursued. He held the high school record for scoring in the region as a top kicker for North High School in Bakers Field, CA. Dwayne graduated in 1978. Through the years, his love for sports continued, as a passionate fan watching from the side line or on TV; and playing softball and volleyball on the elite Air Force and All Services teams receiving top honors in the European and Mediterranean divisions as well. Dwayne is a Second Degree Black Belt, competed and taught USA karate to adults and children.
As a young boy, Dwayne also established a strong dedication to his faith. He was very involved in the activities of his church. In his junior and senior high years, Dwayne had an opportunity to be a member of the traveling puppet youth ministry program. This commitment flourished in his later years which was a gift he shared deeply with his beloved wife.
Dwayne attended Bakersfield College in California, before entering in the United States Air Force. He proudly served his country from April 14, 1981 to February 11, 1988. Dwayne was stationed in California and Greece as a Law Enforcement Specialist and along the way received many honorable ribbons. He later finished his degree in Criminology at Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho. Taking a job in Minnesota, Dwayne served on the St. Louis Park Police Force and later in private security services. A friend offered him the opportunity to transition into the information technology field with Drake Prometric, continuing his IT career with Residential Funding Corporation, Oracle and United Healthcare in the Twin Cities area. He had a passion for entrepreneurship and dreams of the future pursuing other business opportunities as well including real estate. Dwayne was thankful and especially enjoyed his current position working for St. Jude Medical as a software asset manager.
Dwayne so enjoyed the simple things in life. He loved to take photographs of the events and activities of life and especially of the people he loved. In the last decade, Dwayne’s interests especially included being the captain of his boat on Prior Lake. Through the years, he had a special relationship with his dogs, with the most significant bond with his Black Lab named Saber. Dwayne lived his life to the fullest, genuinely enjoying and sharing the spirit of life, surrounded by a wonderful circle of very close friends, which he treasured deeply.
Their home on Prior Lake is where Dwayne was the most happiest. The greatest joy and desire in Dwayne’s life was being a loving husband and best friend to Renea. On September 25, 2004 at Westwood Community Church, they took a vow of being each other’s constant friend, faithful partner and one true love. Dwayne and Renea had a very special and unique relationship, one seen through the eyes of others, as that perfect relationship of adoration and respect. They were two halves that made a whole, very much enjoying sharing life’s adventures and treasured time just being together. As a couple, decisions were made together, celebrating joys and supporting each other through life’s struggles. Life was forever better hand in hand. They were blessed to experience so much in life together; originally connecting through their shared passion of volleyball and their faith; traveling to see the world, diving into adventures, and honoring special events and friends long the way. Dwayne also dearly loved his daughters, Andrea and Melissa; proudly supporting them in their events, especially dance, tennis and track. He cherished time spent, looking forward to seeing all they would become in their lives.
Dwayne will be forever loved and greatly missed by his beloved wife, Renea Stuckey; children, Andrea Stuckey, Melissa Stuckey; mother Mary Stuckey; siblings, Dennis Stuckey, Junell (Roger) Scheers; Deanna Stuckey; other relatives and friends.
There to greet Dwayne home in heaven is his father, Maurice and his mother-in-law, Bettyann.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Stuckey family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
