By JORDAN MCLEMORE
Staff Reporter
Freshman Britten Shuck, a member of the Ranger baseball team, died March 26 in a one-vehicle accident while driving to Alva from his home in Seiling.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said that the accident occurred at 7:05 a.m. on US-281 four miles north of Chester. Shuck was driving a 2000 Chevrolet pickup northbound on US-281. For unknown reasons, the pickup left the west side of the roadway and entered a ditch. The vehicle went into a broad slide in the ditch; the front driver’s-side tire hit a soft dirt embankment, and the pickup rolled.
Shuck was ejected and pinned under the vehicle when it came to rest. Airbags in the vehicle deployed. Shuck was not wearing a seat belt.
According to his profile on the Ranger Baseball roster, he was a member of a regional runner-up team while in high school. Shuck also excelled in football and was selected to the Great Plains All- Conference Team.
Shuck was born on Oct. 14, 1995, to Neal and Claire Shuck. He had one older sister, Addi. He was majoring in accounting at Northwestern.
Northwestern President Janet Cunningham alerted the campus of the loss of a fellow Ranger Thursday afternoon through e-mail, saying, “It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the death of one of our own. Britten Shuck, a freshman from Seiling, was killed in an automobile accident early this morning. Britten was a member of the Ranger baseball team.”
Baseball head coach Sam Carel posted on Facebook shortly after the news went public about the death of Shuck, saying, “Horrible loss today for the parents of Britten Shuck. Northwestern Oklahoma St baseball freshman infielder, Britten Shuck, lost his life today in a single car accident as he was coming back to catch the team bus from his home in Seiling this morning. One of the most liked, beloved, and respected teammates I have ever had on any team. His energy was infectious and, as the picture illustrates, his love for his Ranger family was genuine and the love his Ranger family had for him was non-negotiable. RIP brother Shuck. #family.” The picture referred to is diplayed above.
Funeral services were held Monday at Elm Grove Community Church northwest of Chester, Okla., with Pastor Orville White and Pastor Michael Brien presiding.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Brit Shuck Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Seiling State Bank. 301 N Main Street, Seiling, OK 73663.