John Oliver STULL

STULL, STILSON, BOGUE, ODONNELL, PALMER, BENNETT, ELSBREE, SABA

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/19/2011 at 12:52:33

August 30, 1920 --- June 8, 2011

John Oliver Stull went home to the Lord on June 8, 2011, after a long illness. John lived a full life that encompassed duty and honor to his country, dedication to the constituents he served, and creativity in the articles he wrote all his life.

John was born in Corwith, Iowa, on August 30, 1920, to Claude Stull, DDS, and Mabel Stilson. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. degree in psychology. After graduation, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. As a newly minted ensign, John married Babbie Bogue on May 13, 1944, after a six week courtship. This created a union that lasted 59 years. He was part of the Battle of Inchon in the Korean War and worked in Naval Intelligence at the Pentagon. He served 21 years in the Navy, retiring with the rank of Commander. John entered the California political arena, serving as Assemblyman for the 80th Assembly District (North San Diego County) from 1967-1972. During his tenure, he crafted the now famous "Stull Act" in 1971, requiring teachers in California's public schools to be accountable for the progress of their students. He then moved on to the State Senate, winning a special election in 1973, and serving the 38th Senate district until 1978.

John Stull and Ronald Reagan were close friends as well as political conservatives while John was in the legislature and Reagan was governor of California. John was instrumental in holding the minority party together to support Reagan vetoes and to negotiate the Reagan agenda with Democrats. As the Republican Caucus Chairman, John Stull was one of the most powerful Republicans in the state legislature. After retiring from the Senate, John & Babbie moved to the Ozarks in 1979. Retirement created a new chapter in John's life, as he and Babbie wrote articles for various magazines, traveled, and restored the historic Steele Mansion. Not long after settling in Hartville, the newly elected president, Ronald Reagan, asked John to serve in his administration in Washington, D.C. John declined; content to remain in Missouri at his home, which he christened as "Senator's Rest". During the last 30 years, John was also active in the local chapters of the Lions Club, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and with the Ozarks Property Rights Congress.

John was preceded in death by his beloved Babbie in 2003; his cherished daughter, Sinara Stull O'Donnell, in 2007; and his dear sister, Frances Stull Palmer in 1997. John is survived by his nephew, Charles Bogue of Laguna Beach, California; his nieces, Betsy Bogue of South Pasadena, California, Connie Bennett of Marion, Iowa, and Cathie Elsbree of Galena, Illinois; his grand- nieces, Paige Saba of McLean, Virginia, and Susan Bennett of Brandon, Iowa; his grand-nephew, Thomas Bennett of Marion, Iowa; his sister-in-law, Tays Bogue of San Marino, California; and his son-in-law, John O'Donnell of Springfield, Missouri.

A memorial service will be held in Hartville Free Will Baptist Church, 5658 Highway Z, Hartville, Missouri, on Friday June 24, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. This will be followed by a burial service at 2:30 p.m., in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Road, Springfield, Missouri. Contributions in John Stull's name may be made to the U.S. NAVY MEMORIAL, or to the SINARA STULL O'DONNELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND at Whittier College in Whittier, California.

News-Leader -- Springfield, Missouri
June 19, 2011