Dr. Roy Vardeman Sturgeon, Jr
Jul 1, 1924 - Aug 22, 2018
Posted by Jo Aguirre

Strode Funeral Home
(permission granted)
Published Wed, 8/29/2018

Burial followed in Cimarron Valley Cemetery north of Lacey under direction of Strode Funeral

Roy or “R.V.” was born July 1, 1924 in Wichita, Kan. to Roy Vardeman Sturgeon and Veva Vi Eaton. He grew up on his family farm on the Cimarron River between Hennessey and Okeene. As his family moved, he attended school in Oilton and Lacey and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1942. Enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1943, R.V. trained as Bombardier-Gunner with an honorable discharge in 1945. He continued his military career in the Oklahoma National Guard 45th Infantry Division and the U.S. Army Reserve from 1956- 1984. Sturgeon attained the rank of Command Sergeant Major in the 3rd BDE 95th DIV and was honored with the Meritorious Service Medal. R. V. married Ada Ruth Emmons of Okeene in 1950. While working on the Sturgeon family farm near Lacey, the couple had two children, Vickie and Jerry. In 1956 R.V. moved his family to Stillwater where he attended OAMC. He received a B.S. in Agronomy and an M.S. in Plant Pathology at OSU. In 1967 he completed his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. Sturgeon’s 29-year career at OSU included a position as the first Extension Plant Pathologist at the university. He developed the first Plant Disease Diagnostic and Mobile Lab at OSU, as well as mentoring many graduate students. He also worked as a Field Consultant for the Oklahoma Peanut Commission and served as Executive Secretary for the Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation. Through his professional work, R.V. and Ruth were able to travel the world on many enriching trips. Upon retirement R.V. continued his civic activities as: Past Master of Masonic Coronado Lodge, Hennessey; Past President of Stillwater Shrine, India Temple of Oklahoma City; 32nd Degree Mason, Scottish Rite, Guthrie; Past Commander of American Legion Hanner- Sharp Post 129, Stillwater; member of the First Christian Church of Stillwater, National Association of Retired Federal Employees and Stillwater Boat Club. Sturgeon received a Proclamation from the Payne County Board of Commissioners as Payne County Volunteer of Year 2013 for leading the flag salute at commission meetings on behalf of the American Legion for 15 consecutive years. R.V. loved to fish and was a loyal fan of Orange Power through Cowboy and Cowgirl Sports. The Western Channel was his favorite place to watch movies and TV programs. He filled his last days reading old cowboy books and stories.

He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Veva, sister Carolyn Salisbury and brother Jim Sturgeon.

His beloved wife, Ruth of Stillwater, survives him. Their 68th Wedding Anniversary was Mon., Aug. 27. His son, Jerome Vardeman Sturgeon and daughter, Vickie Sturgeon, both of Stillwater, also survive him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the First Christian Church, 411 W. Matthews Ave., Stillwater, OK 74075.

Condolences may be emailed to the family at strodefh@aol.com and an online obituary may be viewed by visiting HYPERLINK “http://www.strodefh. com” www.strodefh.com

Thank You For Your Service!