Judy Kathryn Sturgeon

Judy Kathryn (Stafford) Sturgeon, 76, passed away surrounded by loved ones at St. Anthony's Hospital on Tuesday, September 8th, 2026. Judy was born to Leawn Stafford and Emma Jo (Leonard) Stafford on November 15, 1949, in Cordell, Oklahoma. She was born in the hospital on the southwest corner of the town square, where the Florence House is now located. She attended school in Burns Flat for all twelve years. She was baptized in October of 1966 at a revival in Cordell. She attended Oklahoma State University for three semesters, where she fell in love with David Sturgeon. The two married on August 30, 1969, and resided in Stillwater while David completed his degree. They welcomed their first son in 1975 and moved back to Cordell the following year. There, they opened their own veterinary practice and later welcomed two more sons. Judy took great pride in managing the veterinary clinic and is fondly remembered by many of her customers.

She was a 37-year breast cancer survivor, an accomplished seamstress, excellent cook, a community volunteer, and the best mom and Mooma. She hand-sewed David's suits for vet school and wedding dresses to help pay for his tuition. She was in the process of gathering recipes to make a family cookbook to pass down to her daughters-in-law and grandchildren when she passed away. She helped others quietly and graciously, as well as volunteering with 4-H, school activities, Bible school, the library board, and the Washita County Livestock Show. She loved her family more than anything - so much so that it was difficult to find a photo without a grandchild in her lap for her obituary. The last eighteen years of her life were spent chasing grandkids around livestock shows and school events, a pastime she found great joy in. Even as her health began to decline, she was determined to support them in any way she could: the day after her passing, the family found a notebook in her nightstand where she had been keeping notes on her granddaughters' show steers, helping her remember their names and what shows they were going to. She also loved to travel with her family; she enjoyed taking her grandchildren on annual trips to Red River and she even had a trip to North Dakota with her sister, Paula, and cousin, Alice planned for this fall. A few of her favorite destinations were Alaska and Yellowstone. She attended church every Sunday, and when she wasn't sewing, cooking, volunteering, traveling, or spending time with family, she could be found sitting in her rocker studying her Bible.

Judy is preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents, Leawn Stafford and Emma Jo (Leanord) Stafford; her husband, David Sturgeon; her niece, Jennifer Cannon; her great nephew, Darren Blake Hill; her great nephew, Stephen Ross Sturgeon; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Shane and Erin of Rocky, OK; Scott and Amber of Hydro, OK; and Steven and Cassie of Yukon, OK; her sisters, Paula Stafford and Beverly, and her husband, Richard Cannon; her special cousin, Alice Baumstark, and her husband, Rick Ranger; her grandchildren, Skyler, Brody, Aubrey, Paisley, Karlin Brett, Barrett, Bentley, and Brylie; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hydro-Eakly FFA, Sentinel FFA, Yukon Quarterback Club, Yukon Tip-In Club, Yukon High School Golf Booster Club, Washita County 4-H, Great Plains Library System, or a charity of your choosing. Judy is loved and missed by so many, but may we all find peace in knowing that she is living in the kingdom of Heaven and has been reunited with countless loved ones.

Graveside: 9:00 a.m., Saturday, September 12, 2026

Port Cemetery, Sentinel, OK

Celebration of Life: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 12, 2026

Northside Church of Christ, Cordell, OK

Visitation: 1:00 - 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2026

Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Cordell, OK

Family Visitation: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2026

Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Cordell, OK

Under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Cordell, OK