Rolla Lee Stuck
August 3, 1936 - April 5, 2022

Lee Stuck passed away peacefully. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones. Lee was born in Liberty, Arizona, to Rolla Crammer and Pearl Jane Piguet/Stuck. They moved the family to Fortuna in 1948. Lee graduated from Fortuna High School in 1955, and soon after got a job as a mechanic working for Tanferani Ford Motors. He continued his education taking courses in the local police academy until graduating and taking a position with the Fortuna Police department in 1962. While serving on the department’s Drug Task Force, he and his partner accomplished the agency’s first official drug bust. Lee also served as detective during his service and retired in 1978. After his retirement, he decided to take on another adventure serving the City of Fortuna as a mechanic. He also added to his service to his community by heading out everytime he heard the siren for the Fortuna Volunteer Fire department. He also helped with Bingo and other fundraising events.

Lee’s passion in life was serving his community. Serving others meant the world to him. Every branch of service held a special place in his heart. All who have met and gotten to know Lee have become family to him. He was a man full of wisdom, great stories, and a great teacher. He would go out of his way to help anyone in need.

After his retirement, Lee and Judy enjoyed taking off across the country in their motorhome to see the country, including two trips to Alaska and several to Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Arizona. They enjoyed yearly family reunion outings to the Lakeplace near Clearlake. They also enjoyed several cruises in their traveling adventures.

Lee is survived by his wife of 42 years, Judith; his children, Eugene Stuck, (Debbie), Rhonda Brown, (Dave), David Miller, Dana Burt, (Daryl), Diedra , (John), Jerry Stuck, (Erica), Leanne Garlinghouse, (Bill), Tom Grant, (Jean), Denise Williams, (John), and Kimberly Santsche. He is also survived by his brother Roy Dale Stuck, (Maria). He has numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings; Alfred, Richard, Hazel, Grace, Irene, Jane, and John, and wives; Willa Mae and Dorvia; and a granddaughter Heather.

Lee loved spending time with his grandkids, teaching them and instilling in them the importance of being honest, hardworking, kind and respectful. He spent a lot of time at the Marion Center for Rehabilitation, getting therapy after his stroke. He became especially close to Mark and Sharon and was very grateful to them for all of their care and help. He really loved them always mentioning how they were like family to him.

Lee had great caregivers for the last few years of his life. He really appreciated and thought the world of each of them.

In his last few years of life, Lee was still serving his community. Lee had been working collaboratively with the Fortuna Police Chief to honor one of his former law enforcement partners. Lee had previously worked with former Fortuna Police Officer Ray Mills, who was killed in the line of duty in 1967. In lieu of flowers, Lee’s family is asking those who are willing to donate to the Fortuna Police Employee’s Foundation to help with the costs associated with the Ray Mills memorial project. Donations can be made in person at the Fortuna Police Department or mailed to 621 11th Street, Fortuna, CA, 95540.

The services will be held on Monday, April 11, 2022, at Goble’s Mortuary, in Fortuna. There will be viewing starting at 4:00 pm, with a service at 5:30 pm. There will be a graveside service, on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, starting at 10:00 am with a police escort up to Sunrise Cemetery. Please join us in honoring this beloved man.

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The obituary above was submitted by Lee Stuck’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.