John Duck

John Elmer Duck, 85, passed from this life on November 24, 2014, surrounded by family. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and a funeral service will be held at 10:00am, on Friday, November 28, 2014 at the First Christian Church with Rev. Rick Hendricks officiating. Burial will follow at Fairlawn cemetery. Visitation will be held from 8:00am to 8:00pm on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater, OK.
John was born on June 3, 1929 to James Elmer and Loretta (Eyler) Duck Adams in Stillwater, OK. He grew up in Stillwater, where he attended Stillwater High School and graduated in 1947. After high school, John joined the United States Marine Corps. He was proudly labeled as a Mustang because he worked his way up the ranks from an entry level grunt to Major. John served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and numerous commendations. While serving over twenty years in the United States Marine Corps, John enjoyed his time in the military seeing the world, especially serving in Hawaii, Japan and Morocco. John attended Oklahoma State University where he received a bachelors degree in Animal Science and a masters degree in Computer Science. After retirement, John worked as a real estate broker and appraiser. John married Robbie Morgan (Todd) Duck on August 7, 1982 at the First Christian Church in Stillwater. They celebrated 32 years of marriage.
John was very active in the community, church and political activities. He volunteered for the Red Cross doing emergency and disaster reporting. He also served as a liaison between the Red Cross and the military. John gave blood as often as he could, donating over 100 gallons of blood throughout his lifetime to the Red Cross. He was an active member of the First Christian Church in Stillwater. He helped in the building of the Central Oklahoma Christian Camp, and served on the board.
John had many hobbies such as gardening, fishing, swimming, grafting pear and pecan trees and anything else related to the outdoors. Above all else, John loved his family, putting their needs before his own. John made sure the family kept in contact with one another and was always trying to bring them closer together. John had a full and varied life. He will be greatly missed.
John is preceded in death by his parents, James Elmer and Loretta (Elyer) Duck Adams and one brother, Eddie Adams.
John is survived by his wife, Robbie Morgan (Todd) Duck, of 32 years; nine children, J. Lynne (Duck) Simmons, William Duck, J. Carole Reed, Kenneth Duck, Wendy E. Duck, Andrea Barnhill-Duck, M. Shane Todd, T. Randall Todd, and Bradley Neil Todd; three siblings, Mary (Duck) Wilson, Jane (Duck) Caswell, and Frank Adams and wife Sandra; eighteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Johns name to the American Red Cross and/or the Wounded Warrior Project.
Condolences may be sent to the family via online guestbook at www.pmchfh.com.