Jackie E. Maroney

Jackie Eugene Maroney, 79, of Wright City, OK, passed from this life October 4, 2021, at the Choctaw Memorial Hospital, Hugo, with his loving wife at his side.  Jackie was born April 1, 1942, in Box Elder, TX, to Curtis and Louise (Tolison) Maroney.

Jackie was an active deacon at the Freewill Baptist Church, Idabel.  Jackie lived in McCurtain County for the last 30 years, coming off the rodeo circuit.  He was a professional cowboy; bull riding and riding bareback.  He was a member of the IRA professional rodeo.  Jackie also enjoyed chuck wagon races.  He lived his life to the fullest, had a colorful life, and once you met him, you never forgot him; he was one of a kind.  Jackie was a huge influencer and mentor to many young people, not only in rodeo but also in life.  If you knew Jackie, you knew that he could go from 0-100 in a heartbeat and probably had more friends than Will Rogers, but if Jackie liked you, then he liked you, but if he didn’t then you knew it.

Jackie married the love of his life Barbara Hunkapillar in DeQueen, AR, on July 29, 1996.  They enjoyed doing life together, whether good or bad, and they always had each other’s backs.

Jackie was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Louise Maroney; brothers, Duke, David, and Dennis Maroney; special sister, Linda Tolison; and several rodeo friends, including Roland Clark, Doug Williams, and Rob McDonald.

Jackie is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Wright City; son by choice, John Gray Maroney, of Wright City; grandson, Noah Leland Gray, of Mangum, OK; step-son, Duskin Gray, of Millerton; brother, Curtis Melton Maroney, and wife, Peggy, of Greenville, TX; sister, Betty Fowler of Simms, TX; his rodeo family who all was special to him; along with other relatives and family.  Long live the cowboys.

A Celebration of Life Service will be Friday, October 8, 2021, at 2PM, at the Clardy Funeral Service Chapel, Idabel, with Mike Fletcher officiating.  Visitation will be Thursday from 6-8PM.

Burial will follow at Denison Cemetery, Idabel, OK.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jackie E. Maroney, please visit our floral store.