Stuart Sickler

Stuart Sickler, 19, of Plano, Texas passed away on August 23, 2013, from complications following recent heart valve surgery. Stuart, son of Harold and Dana Sickler, also of Plano, was born on August 10, 1994, in Dallas, Texas. He was a 2013 graduate of Fairhill School, Dallas, Texas, and had also attended McKinney Christian Academy. He was scheduled to begin studies at Collin College for the 2013 Fall Semester.
Stuart Sickler was a gregarious and outgoing young man with a keen wit and sense of humor which kept his innumerable friends entertained. His warm smile and wry look was infectious to others. He was always ready with a timely quip or edgy comment. He was loved and appreciated by his teachers and fellow students.
He had actively participated in the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship's Troop 714, for several years. He earned the coveted Eagle Scout award at the age of 14. His love of the outdoors took him to numerous summer camps in Colorado and New Mexico. He also was a member of Scouting's honor camper program, Order of the Arrow.
Stuart had participated in the football and basketball programs at McKinney Christian Academy. He also played lacrosse with the Plano Wrangler and Plano Senior High Junior Varsity Teams. He enjoyed workouts at the Russell Creek YMCA gym and weightlifting. In recent months he had become a tireless and accomplished long-boarder and had the scars to prove it!
He was active in the Student Government at Fairhill School. He represented his school at leadership conferences in Chicago and Washington, DC. He excelled as a writer and photographer on the staff of the school paper, The Fairhill Talon, earning numerous awards for his "cutting edge" and engaging newspaper articles. In spring 2012, he went on a Fairhill School visit to England, and surprisingly was allowed to leave the United Kingdom and clear U.S. Customs!
Stuart had attended Bent Tree Bible Fellowship and Chase Oaks Church. Though accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age, he sought non-traditional ways to live out his faith. He was intolerant of religious hypocrisy and challenged others with his wit and wisdom. He confirmed his Christian faith, with his father, and stared down the challenges to his health. His dog-eared Bible and devotional gave testament to his quiet, but genuine faith.
Stuart was employed in the Food Service Department at Market Street in Allen. He was a dedicated worker and despite the average attitude of his teenage peers towards manual labor, he never once complained about taking on a job and going to work. He was liked and appreciated by his coworkers and managers. Stuart was looking forward to returning to Market Street following his surgery.
Stuart faced his heart-valve surgery and the resultant recuperation with the same diligence that he used to build his body and maintain a healthy diet. His intolerance of "goodies" in the home brought down his wrath on his parents. He never complained once during his surgery or treatment. Knowing the odds against him, he exhibited courage and faith in his recovery that would inspire anyone. He literally expressed no fear. He was a fighter to the end.
Stuart Sickler is survived by his parents, Harold and Dana Sickler; brother, Travis; maternal grandparents, John and Ann Dutton; uncle, Steve Dutton; aunt, Shelia Sickler; great aunts, Selma Higginbotham and Boodie Kerr; cousins, Kyle and Lana Hudson, Karen Kerr, Crissey Rhea, and Donnie Dowell. He's preceded in his death by his paternal grandparents, Harold and Winona Sickler; and aunt, Lenore Dutton.
His last words prior to his death were, "I see a white light!", giving his family and friends encouragement and hope of life eternal in the brilliant light of a loving and caring, God and Savior.
Stuart Sickler will live on, honored in the hearts and minds of his loving family and friends. His life was a reminder, that life may be brief, but it can be lived well and to the fullest.
Stuart's family will receive friends at a visitation from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at Allen Family Funeral Options. A memorial service to celebrate Stuart's life will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Chase Oaks Church, 281 Legacy Dr., Plano, Texas 75023.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests' memorial contributions in Stuart's name be made to Fairhill School, 16150 Preston Rd., Dallas, Texas 75248 or to Boy Scout Troop 714, 6428 Blacktree Dr., Plano, Texas 75093
"When this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place:
DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.
DEATH WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?
DEATH WHERE IS YOUR STING?" 1 CORINTHIANS 15:54-55

"We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord"
2 CORINTHIANS 5:8