Friday, November 18, 2022, Leslie Nile Stufflebeam, faithful servant, beloved son, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away at the age of 74 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 am Monday, November 28, 2022 at Faith Church in Glenpool, Oklahoma. Internment will be at 3:00 pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Stillwater, OK. Arrangements are overseen by Strode Funeral home.
Les was born on July 21, 1948 to parents Kenneth Ray Stufflebeam and Eulonda Fae Stufflebeam in Cushing, Oklahoma. Growing up, Les discovered a love for baseball, showing cattle and spending time with friends shooting bottles. His love for baseball continued and Les played the game in high school and college. Les received a scholarship to Bacone College and then transferred to Central State University.
At Central State University, Les found the love of his life, Devota June Young. Les and June were married on June 7, 1969 in Edmond, Oklahoma. Soon after graduating, Les took a job at Bray Lines in Cushing, OK and his trucking career began. It was also around this time that a son was born, Kevin Ray Stufflebeam.
As his career began to grow, opportunities for advancement came forth and the young Stufflebeam family found themselves on the move several times before landing in Liberal, Kansas where in 1976, a daughter was born, Kimberly Renee Stufflebeam. Several more moves were in the future and finally in 1980 the family settled in Jenks, OK.
It wasn’t long after that Les and June decided to be entrepreneurial and start their own business, LX Transportation. They grew the business and sold it in 1988. Not quite a year later, they started Niles Transportation, Inc., where they would work side by side until 2016 when they would officially retire. A 47-year career in trucking came to an end.
Les was a devout Christian. He led the praise and worship groups at Prattwood Assembly of God and Faith Church. He loved the Southern gospel style and always strived to energize the congregation with song. Les also loved anything OU, God help us all! He even predicted OU would win Bedlam in 2022. Les was a fierce competitor, consistently beating his grand daughters in card games and betting on football games for a cheeseburger. How many do you owe him Emilie?
Les possessed a strong work ethic that didn’t go unnoticed by his children, grandchildren and his customers. Les also loved working on the farm. Even in his last months he could be seen occasionally “supervising” his son and son in law to get the chores done.
Les is preceded in death by his father Kenneth Ray Stufflebeam and his mother Eulonda Fae Moon.
Les is survived by his wife June Stufflebeam; children, Kevin (Katherine) Stufflebeam, Kim (Pat) Withrow and his grandchildren, Emilie, Allie and Rylie Stufflebeam.