Rollen J. Stookey (RJ)
Rollen J. Stookey (RJ) passed away on Oct. 13, 2023, at the age of 91 in the Sheridan Rehab Center in Sheridan, WY, on his oldest son’s birthday.
He was born in Helena, OK, on Feb 12, 1932, to Rollen and Bertha Harris Stookey, the youngest of four children. He joined three sisters, Lorena Clayton, Dortha Dunkin, and Marilyn Hungerford to complete their family. He grew up and attended school in Helena, graduating in 1950. He went to college for one year and then enlisted in the US Army in 1952 and served for two years during the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion in Custer and then in Hysham.
After being honorably discharged from the service, he became a doodlebugger for a seismograph crew out of Oklahoma. In 1956, the crew came to Montana, working around Roundup and Billings, and in May eventually landing in the country north of the river around Custer. That’s where he met his wife, Juliette, through her father, Julian Weinzetl. He and Julian were sitting at the bar when she came in. “Whoa! Who is she?” It was love at first sight for both of them. They were married Dec. 22, 1956, and have been together just short of 67 years. They had five children: Cassandra (1957), Dudley Dean (1958), Rita Rachell (1959), Jeanna Marie (1961), and Michael Lee (1962). RJ loved Oklahoma and would visit whenever he could, but Montana became his home and where he planted his roots.
RJ was a great husband, dad, and friend to all. He would help anyone who needed help. He never knew a stranger. He taught his kids to be hard workers and to never know a stranger, as well. He loved watching his kids and grandkids participate in sports. His was one voice all players and refs knew from the bleachers. Nascar was his favorite sport to watch on tv, and he actually got to go to the races in Las Vegas with his son, Mike and grandson, Tyler.
He worked for the Grammen brothers East of Custer for three years, moved up Tullock Creek and worked for Walter Hope for the next twelve years, and then bought his father-in-law’s farm on the Big Horn River in 1972. They lived on the farm for the next 27 years raising various crops, sheep, and cattle. He sold Loomix feed for several years. They sold the farm and moved into Custer in 1999.
RJ is survived by his wife, Juliette; his sister, Dortha Dunkin; his children Cass (Justin) Schwend, Dudley (Audra), Rita (Todd) Clippinger, Jeanna (Mike) Anderson, Mike (Iona); his grandchildren, Brock and Skyler Schwend, Chelsea, Cordell, and Dylan Stookey, Lucas, Jacob, and Nicholette Parter, Kory, Kellan, Ward, and Poston Anderson, Tyler, Lindsey, and Keera Stookey; 25 great grandchildren; numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Lorena and Marilyn, his great grandson Khoen Parker, great granddaughter Olivia Goodale, many in-laws, nephews, and nieces.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Bullis Mortuary in Hardin, MT at 1:00 PM. Interment and military services to follow at the Custer Cemetery in Custer, MT around 3:00 PM. Following the graveside service, there will be coffee and cookies in Custer at the Junction City Park.
In lieu of flowers or if friends desire, memorials may be made to the Junction City Park, the Custer Senior Center, or charity of your choice.
Bullis Mortuary has been entrusted with the funeral services.
