Dr. Bobby L. Stalcup's Obituary
Dr. Bobby L. Stalcup of Mandeville, LA died on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at the age of 85. He was born on August 14, 1938, in Tahoka, TX, one of six children of farmers J. H. (Hub) and Lois Lee (Jaynes) Stalcup. A graduate of O’Donnell, TX high school, he received a B.A. from Hardin-Simmons University, and M.Div., Th.M. and Th.D. degrees from Southwestern Theological Seminary.
Originally desiring to be a science teacher and researcher, Bob planned double majors in chemistry and education. However, mid-way through college he felt called to be a Christian minister. He was ordained at the age of 19 and began his ministry as pastor of a small rural church. In his 46 years of ministry, he pastored churches in Texas and New Mexico before moving to Louisiana in 1979. He was pastor of Parkway Presbyterian Church in Metairie for 13 years, then spent 4 years as Interim Pastor of four different churches in three different states. In 1996, he became Associate Pastor at St. Charles Ave. Presbyterian Church in New Orleans, from which he retired in 2003. After Hurricane Katrina, he and his wife, Thelma, returned to their native state of Texas for seven years, but moved back to Louisiana on the North Shore in 2013 to spend their remaining years near their children and grandchildren.
Despite extensive theological education, Bob never lost his interest in science and the natural world. He was continually integrating his faith with increased awareness of the evolutionary flow of the universe and the inner world of depth psychology and spirituality in major religions. He wrote essays in high school and college on “Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy”; he worked in oil fields and as an assistant geophysicist while in seminary; his doctoral dissertation was on Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French Jesuit priest/theologian and a world recognized scientist/paleontologist, who synthesized ”love of God and love of the earth”. He loved flying airplanes, hiking in the mountains, exploring sacred Native-American sites in North and Central America, following the Lewis & Clark trail to the Pacific, and walking most every morning in the outdoors to enjoy nature and spend a little time talking to his “crow friends” and sharing a few Cheetos with them.
He is survived by Thelma Jo (Call) Stalcup, his lovely and loving wife of 61 years; son Jeff Stalcup and wife Jackie of Lafitte, LA; son David Stalcup and wife Rhonda of Mandeville, LA; granddaughter Amber (Stalcup) and husband Garrett Platner with great-grandson Keiran of Metairie; and grand children Alexandra and Gabriel Stalcup of Mandeville. He is also survived by his sister Nelda Bowen of Nocona, TX. He is predeceased by his parents, three brothers: Kenneth, Herbert, and Bill, and a sister: Elwanda.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Covington Presbyterian Church, 222 S. Jefferson Avenue, Covington, LA 70433 on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 3:00 PM with visitation beginning at 2:00 PM until service time.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home locally owned and operated, (985) 892-9222 has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
The Stalcup family kindly invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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