On September 26, Heaven gained a particularly charming personality.
Alva Stuckey Jr. went home at the remarkable age of 97, surrounded by family at a cabin in Mentone, Alabama. Born March 19, 1929, to Susan Herndon Stuckey and Alva Stuckey Sr., Al spent nearly a century doing something he seemed naturally gifted at: living.
For Al, life was never something to simply observe. It was meant to be entered into completely. There were people to meet, businesses to build, birds to hunt, horses to ride, stories to tell, children to love, and adventures that rarely required much convincing. He grew up alongside his brothers, Jack and George, in Richmond, Virginia, sharing a love of bird hunting, the outdoors, and a natural instinct for business.
Perhaps Al’s greatest fascination, however, was people. He gave you his full attention, listened intently, and genuinely wanted to know your story. He was sensitive, charismatic, and charming, with the kind of wisdom that comes only from 97 very full years.
He woke every morning seemingly convinced the day ahead was worth getting dressed for. Al didn’t wait for life to become interesting; he made it interesting.
Business was never simply work for Al. He loved being a businessman, being involved in his community, making connections, and being part of whatever was happening around him. Retirement—or even slowing down—never seemed particularly appealing. At 97, he was still working, still spending time outdoors, still tending to the yard, and still finding time to dance with a lovely lady.
Al loved horseback riding, bird hunting, the woods, and almost anything that kept him outdoors. In later years, he treasured his time with AHERO, where his admiration for the military—and particularly the United States Marine Corps—gave him the opportunity to enjoy good food, trail rides, fellowship, and plenty of good stories. Even in his later years, Al could stay up with the best of them. Being inside simply wasn’t his preference, although a Saturday during football season could occasionally persuade him otherwise.
Of all the blessings God placed on this earth, two held a particularly special place in Al’s heart: his children and the company of a lovely lady. Those who knew him well will understand that the order occasionally depended on the day.
Behind all the charm, adventures, business, horses, hunting, stories, and friends, however, was the part of Al’s life that mattered most: his family. Al loved his six children completely and without condition. Of all the things a father can leave his children, perhaps one of the greatest is the certainty of knowing you were loved.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 noon, Thursday, October 15, 2026 at the Frazer United Methodist Church in the Founder’s Chapel, 6000 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36117.
Al was preceded in death by his parents, Alva Stuckey Sr. and Susan Herndon Stuckey; and grandchildren, Adelyne Brooke Sansone and Aubrey Belle Sansone. He is survived by his six children: Alva “Van” Stuckey, Christopher Herndon Stuckey, Keeley Stuckey, Tyre Webb Stuckey, Lee Jamerson Stuckey, and Allison Britton Stuckey.
For a man who embraced nearly everything life placed before him, perhaps one of Al’s greatest blessings was living long enough to watch all six of his children grow up.
And if Heaven is anything like Al would have wanted it, there had better be a two-top table waiting for him, a lovely date sitting across from him, and a generous helping of banana pudding close at hand.
For now, all he’s waiting on are his six children.
Dad, we love you, and we know you’re dancing in Heaven.
