Dr. Thomas Carlyle Stuckey, Jr

Dr. Thomas Carlyle Stuckey, Jr. died on Sunday, January 30, at the age of 77. He went peacefully, surrounded by his children, in his home in Baton Rouge. Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen Patricia Ward Stuckey, and his parents Thomas C Stuckey, Sr. and Nelda Rawls Stuckey. He is survived by his sister Martha Stuckey Kelly and his children Kara Stuckey Doherty and her husband Allen, Aimee Stuckey Kilchrist and her husband Jason, and Thomas Stuckey, III and his wife Rebecca. He was also “Paw Paw” to Katie, Connor, Hannah, Isabel, Lucy, Amelie, and Caroline. Tom was born on September 8, 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana. In his youth he spent a great deal of time hunting and fishing and developed a lifelong love for animals and the outdoors. He attended Fortier High School and then went on to Southeastern for college. It was during that time that he met Kathleen Ward and fell deeply in love. They were married on June 15, 1968, and Tom attended law school at Loyola in New Orleans. Over the next few years they welcomed daughters Kara and Aimee and son, Thomas. He practiced law for a short time before deciding to return to school to become a veterinarian. The family moved to Baton Rouge so he could attend the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, he opened the Garden District Animal Hospital with a classmate and, having found his true calling, spent the next 25 years taking care of the pets of the community with Kathy working alongside him managing the office. In his off time he enjoyed breeding, raising, and showing bull terriers and beagles.He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting with his friends and working in his garden. His favorite place to be was on his back porch where he could sit and watch the birds and squirrels with Kathy. Tom loved his family above all else and was always happiest when surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He worked tirelessly to make sure that they never wanted for anything. He was a kind and loving father who instilled his kids with the importance of living a life of integrity and high moral values. His devotion to his wife was absolute and an inspiration to everyone that knew them. This was never more evident than towards the end of her life when he supported and cared for her through the course of the illness that eventually took her. He touched the lives of many during his time and will be greatly missed. The visitation will be held Saturday, February 5th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., Baton Rouge, with the service immediately to follow at noon. The interment will follow this at Roselawn Cemetery, 4045 North St. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Team Gleason Foundation at www.teamgleason.org/donate. Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., is in charge of arrangements.