Junior Hurston Huckabaa passed from this life at the age of 83, on November 17, 2022. His care has been entrusted to Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Cushing, OK.
Junior was born in Wynnewood, OK, on June 13, 1939, to WH and Pauline Huckabaa. He attended Wynnewood schools, graduating in 1957. At the age of 13, Junior began working at a gas station doing odd jobs; then he worked at Yeatts Furniture and Appliance where he sharpened his appliance repair skills.
Junior and LaRieta were married on August 10, 1957, in Pauls Valley, OK. Three years later they moved to Cushing, OK and resided in the Happy Valley area for years before moving east of Perkins in 2011. Junior worked for Robison and later Swanson Home Furnishings as their appliance technician before he and La-Rieta started their own appliance repair business, J & L Appliance Service in 1970. For 38 years, Junior and LaRieta provided the best service they could for Lincoln, Payne, Creek and Logan counties. Junior was a hard worker and always stayed very busy, but when it came to his wife and daughters, he would make them priority over anything else. His family, and it became a big family, were his world. Junior liked to shop and when the girls became adults, the four of them would go shopping several times a year. Matter of fact, Junior had scheduled to take the three girls out for their yearly birthday luncheon on November 18, the day after his passing. Through the years he did his best to attend events of every grandkid and great-grandkids, whether it was a band concert, ball games or birthday. No matter the event he wanted to be there with his family and be supportive.
Junior became a very active member of the Only Way Baptist Church after he accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord in 1973. He served however he could, teaching adult Sunday school for years and the youth at times, doing Wednesday night services occasionally, helping maintain the building and lawn, and even song leader when needed. The Huckabaas hosted many church activities at their home west of Happy Valley School and through the years there have been a lot of reminiscing of those fun days. Junior loved his church and church family.
Through the years Junior and family spent many holidays, camping vacations and day trips with his extended family. At this time as family is gathering to comfort each other, stories of Junior and his brothers& sisters-in-law have been shared with much laughter. Junior shared his love of adventure with the girls’ school friends too. Many of those teenagers, now adults, recall midnight runs in the back of the old pickup camper to Tulsa or OKC for donuts. Junior and LaRieta continued their love of adventure after retiring in 2004, by traveling through the United States and venturing into Canada at times. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary traveling through Alaska. Though he enjoyed his time away he looked forward to coming home to be with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Junior liked to make things for his family too. In the last few years he spent time crafting cedar boxes out of an old cedar tree from the church yard. Many people have been recipients of these boxes and he entered one in the county fair where it received third place. In the last month he worked in his shop on warm days making boxes for each family member and there are several unfinished boxes in his shop. Lastly those who knew Junior will remember his love for coffee, honey buns and RC Cola and making beans for Sunday dinner with the great grandkids. He will be deeply missed at the after church chicken foot domino games on Sundays.
Junior is survived by his wife of 65 years LaRieta; his three daughters, Lori June Focht and husband Roy, Robin Joanna Baker and husband Gary, and Shannon Janine Schroeder and husband Herman; four siblings, Dovie Parker, Pete Huckabaa, Hollis Huckabaa and Loyd Huckabaa; seven grandchildren, Brant Gaither and wife Kim, Dane Gaither and wife Natalie, Kierah Baker, Kurt Baker and wife Loranda, Kit Baker and wife Kiara, María Percell and husband James, and Jacob Schroeder and wife Mandi; sixteen great-grandchildren Kyla, Kyzer and Bryden Gaither; Quinn and Dax Gaither; Noah Hurston, Dorian, Desmun; Wesley and Ethan Baker; Simone Baker; Avenlea, Canaan, and Sayre Percell; Sutton and Tanner Schroeder; adventure sharing inlaws, Peggy and Ken Campbell, Chloe and Dave Dickerson, Gayle “George” Bowie and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents WH and Pauline, brother Harold; sisters-in-law Julie and Dovie Huckabaa and brother-inlaw Cary Bowie.
A memorial service is scheduled for November 28, at 11 am at Only Way Baptist Church, 356501 E. 760 Road, Cushing, OK or five miles south of the highway 33/99 junction on the east side of highway 99.
In lieu of flowers, please enjoy time with your family and have a honeybun, cup of coffee or a RC cola in Junior’s memory.
