Dr. Richard McCluskey

Richard Laverne McCluskey passed away peacefully Thursday, March 31,2022 at
his home in Keene, Texas. He was born in Sanitarium, California, on June 28
1930, the oldest
son of George Melbourne and Myrna (Moon) McCluskey.

Richard served his country as a medic in the United States Army during the
Korean War. He married Marilyn Fayne Woodard on February 8, 1951, at the
Forest Lawn Wedding Chapel in Glendale, California. Richard earned his
bachelors degree at Andrews University in Michigan, his masters at Walla Walla
University in Washington, and finally his PhD in biology at North Texas State
University. He was a much loved college professor who taught biology for many
years at Southwestern Adventist University, retiring at the age of 80. He
also served as Academic Dean at Union College, analyst with the Gallup
Organization and as departmental director at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.
Richard was a member of the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Marilyn, along with his
sons-in-law, Donald Wayne Jacko and Richard Joseph Lewis. He is survived by
his daughters, Cheryl Jacko (of Elkins, West Virginia) and Linda Lewis (of
Spring Valley, California), and his son, Brian McCluskey, and family Thia,
Matt, Shiho, and Alena (of Colorado), along with grandsons, Jeremy Jacko and
wife Becca of Elkins, WV and Aaron Jacko and wife Lisa of Columbus Ohio, and
Courtney Lewis David and husband Joe. Great grandchildren include Sean, Emma,
Ethan, Eliana, and Emmett. He is also survived by his younger brothers
Stanley McCluskey and Archie McCluskey, sister-in-law Valerie Hartson and many
neices and nephews.

Richard’s love for God, his family, and the many students he taught through
the years was evident in all he did. His smile and stories of field trip
adventures, army experiences and his many friendships kept his family and
friends entertained right up to the end.

In retirement, Dr. McCluskey continued his lifelong work to help students by
supporting the work of Highland Adventist School, a small school serving
students in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. In his memory,
contributions may be made to the Richard McCluskey Scholarship Fund at
Highland Adventist School,
https://elkinswv.adventistschoolconnect.org/finance/donate or to Southwestern
Adventist University, https://swau.edu/advancement/development.
.
A Memorial service for Richard L. McCluskey will be planned at a later date.