John Garrett Stuck (Lieutenant Colonel, USAF Retired), 76, Minot died on Monday, October 29, 2012 in a Minot hospital.

John was born on October 24, 1936, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to John and Olga (Febick) Stuck. He grew up in Winfield Park, New Jersey, and graduated from Roselle Park High School. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute from 1954 to 1956 prior to joining the U.S. Air Force. During his 26 year career, he piloted KC 135 tanker planes, served on the Strategic Air Command "Looking Glass" flying command post, and held various command positions. He served two extended tours of duty overseas, in Okinawa and Thailand. While living in Omaha, he finished his college degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on Dec. 31, 1981. Following his retirement from the Air Force, he and his family continued to make their home in Minot. John became a family financial planner for USPA & IRA (now First Command) and later worked at ND Holdings and served as a consultant at Viking Fund Management until he retired in 2003.

John was an active member of his church everywhere he lived and of Zion Lutheran Church since 1976. He served on the Zion church council and was president of the congregation. He pursued many hobbies and interests over the years, including hunting, fishing, camping, skiing, sailing, woodworking, gardening, glass bead making, traveling and reading. His interests were often sparked by local opportunities in the many places he lived, from skiing in the Pyrenees to smelt fishing in Michigan to sailing on Cape Cod to farming in North Dakota. John always shared his passions with family and friends.

John is survived by his wife of 52 years, the former Donna Jean Selk, whom he married on July 30, 1960 in Minot; children: Garrett Stuck (Pamela Coravos) of Newton, MA, Kristi (Mark) Johnson of Wolverton, MN and Kaaren Stuck (James Cross) of Minot; grandchildren: Jonathan Stuck Coravos, Catherine Stuck Coravos, Matthew Johnson, Megan Johnson, Brady Johnson, Ian Cross and Shelby Cross; brothers: James (Debbie) Stuck of Camden, DE and Robert (Marisa) Stuck of Washington, NJ; sister-in-law: Judy Teets of Minot and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

John was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law: Clinton and Nellie Selk; sisters: Judith Roberts and Carole Smith; brother-in-law: Gary Teets; and sister-in-law: Marvel Foster.

Celebration of the Life of John Stuck: Friday, November 2, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in Zion Lutheran Church Minot.
Graveside Service with full military honors: Friday at 11:45 a.m. at Rosehill Memorial Park Minot.
Visitation: Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral home Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Zion Lutheran Church Trust Fund or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.