Obituary for Stephen Struble

Stephen Wayne Struble

June 24, 1953 — April 13, 2024

Stephen Wayne (Steve) Struble of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away on April 13, 2024. He was 70 years old. Steve was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma to John Emmitt Struble and Lorene (Wilkerson) Struble on June 24th, 1953.

He started his education at Garfield School and later on at McCord after the family house burned to the ground, then on to Ponca City High School where he graduated in 1972. Growing up on a small farm, he was active in FFA for four years showing hogs. Steve was happy to have grown up on a farm, saying it was the best time of his life. His dad bought him a horse and he named it Little Red. They spent years roaming around Osage County together. After high school, he joined the United States Navy and served three years as an aviation structural mechanic during the Vietnam conflict and was honorably discharged in 1973.

Steve was very active in the Ponca City community beginning in the Ponca City Jaycees. While he was President, he was named one of the three top Presidents in the state and obtained a Governorship, which is the second highest honor awarded in the Jaycees. He loved his community and helping others. He did so by serving on numerous boards and committees such as: Peachtree Landing, United Way, Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, Opportunity Center, MOOSE, and AMBUCS, and numerous others where he could lend a helping hand. He was selected to the Ponca City Leadership program as well.

As a Veteran, Steve loved his Veteran brothers and sisters. He was involved in the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the America Legion Riders; holding offices in all. He saw another opportunity to get involved in the community and attended the Ponca City Police Academy, going on to become the first Extra Eyes member to hit the streets.

In his early years, Steve had several jobs working as a furniture maker, brick mason, machine operator, and later as a licensed Insurance Adjuster. He went to work for the Oklahoma State Employment Office until his retirement in 2008. Steve loved telling the story of how he went to the employment office to obtain unemployment and was hired on the spot. Starting out as a clerk, he worked his way up to being the office manager.

It was a passion of Steve’s to help the citizens, and even more so, veterans, of Kay County find employment. As manager, he helped the Ponca City office always lead the State in veteran placement. He actively promoted the Armed Forces in finding young people to join as a means to get training for life skills. For his endeavors, he was selected for Civilian of the Year by the United States Army Command in 1997. He was also awarded an Army Accommodation Medal, a rare occurrence as a civilian. Steve also received a citation and was selected as Veteran of the Week by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2008.

Steve rode motorcycles for many years loving the wind in his face and the feeling of freedom and the many friends he made. He was a charter member of the Three Sands Motorcycle Organization and founder of the American Legion Riders.

Those left behind to cherish Steve’s memory are his son Billy and wife Hyunju Struble, granddaughter Liyah, all of Seoul, South Korea; sister Marilyn and husband John Ramey; sister Vickie Still of South Carolina; nephew Larry and wife Shelli Steele; and great-nephew Christian Steele. As well as lifelong friends Ken and Brenda Luttrell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, and one brother.

No services are scheduled at this time.