Stuart Earnest Sr., a three-term United States Marshal who later served as an Oklahoma County Commissioner, died Saturday in Oklahoma City, County Commissioner Brian Maughan said today.
Earnest was 74 at the time of his death.
“I had the honor of serving on the staff of Commissioner Earnest and I knew him to be a public servant of honor and integrity,” Maughan said. He said family members contacted him with news of Earnest’s death, which came after a brief illness.
Earnest was appointed U. S. Marshal for the Western District of Oklahoma by President Ronald Reagan in 1982 and was later reappointed by President George H. W. Bush. He served in that role for 12 years, the longest tenure for any U. S. Marshal in the district’s history.
Earnest was also a longtime volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, with some 30 years of service to its Exploring program.
He was elected Oklahoma County Commissioner in 1994 and re-elected in 1998, representing District 3. Earnest was a native of Wewoka.
Maughan said family services will be private. Earnest is survived by his wife Revanelle, four children, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
This certainly saddens me … Stu was one of the really good guys, and his service to our Oklahoma Community was always on the positive side of life. My deepest sympathy to Revy, and the family … Rest in Peace my Brother, you blessed my life in knowing you.
Stu was one of the good guys who served honorably in government and he will be missed.