Eddie K. Stubblefield, 85

The Rev. Eddie K. Stubblefield died on March 19, 2021, at the age of 85 years.

He was born on Sept. 12, 1935, to Kenneth Stiddard and Frances Louise (Hendricks) Stubblefield in Jeffersonville, Indiana, the eldest of four boys. A graduate of Jeffersonville High School, he earned his B.A. degree from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky and the B.D. degree from Lexington (KY) Theological Seminary. He was ordained into the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on Oct. 20, 1957.

He married Ruth Carolyn Smith on Sept. 7, 1957, in Lexington, Kentucky. She died of Hodgkin’s disease in August 1961. On Dec. 29, 1962, he married Norma Jean Lewis in Louisville, Kentucky, a union that resulted in 56 years of marriage. They had two children, Kenneth Lewis Stubblefield and Melora Ann Stubblefield.

The Rev. Stubblefield served in the Christian ministry for 45 years in a variety of services. He served as campus minister at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and at Ohio University. He was an assistant regional minister in the Upper Midwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He also served as the director of Evangelism Program Services for the Division of Homeland Ministries of the Christian Church. In addition, he served as pastor in Virginia, Iowa, Minnesota, Ontario, Canada and Montana and in his latter years of ministry was an intentional interim minister. He retired from active ministry in 1999 but continued to serve congregations in the Flathead Valley for almost three years after retirement.

Eddie loved Montana and the Pacific Northwest. He and his wife never missed a chance to attend a grandchild’s music concert, theatrical performance, birthday, or graduation.

They loved cruising and especially enjoyed country music cruises in the Caribbean. Their adventures took them to the far corners of the globe; the Great Wall of China, Kapama Game Reserve in South Africa, around the Cape of South America, Oktoberfest, and Western Europe. Though they traveled the world, stateside trips to see their closest friends and family brought them the most joy. You could find them at the Choteau Rodeo on the Fourth of July, dining in their favorite restaurants in Seattle or at Chico Hot Springs, enjoying fine wine, or savoring an exceptional Bourbon/Scotch at the end of the bar at Nectar Lounge.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; his parents; and two brothers, Donald and Robert.

He is survived by a son, Kenneth and his wife, Christine, of Seattle; daughter, Melora Ann Williams and her husband, Jim, of Whitefish; and brother, David, of Pekin, Indiana. He is also survived by one grandson, Jake Williams and three granddaughters, Mackenzie Williams, Hailey Stubblefield and Alaina Stubblefield.

At his request no services will be held. Cremation has taken place. Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.