Sunday May 19th, 2013 • 10:44:47pm
Funeral for Basil Wayne Simmons, 93, Lawton, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Whinery-Huddleston Chapel with Army Chaplain Maj. Doug Lax offiiciating.
Mr. Simmons left this world to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 14, 2013.
Interment will be at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin.
He was born Sept. 20, 1919, in Hampton County, S.C., to Elmore Henry Simmons and Sara Portress. He started life as most children did in the 1920s, working in the fields alongside his father and 10 siblings. He enlisted in the Army in March 1941 and was chosen to be in prestigious 17th Airborne Division, 507th PIR. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and participated in Operation Varsity the crossing of the Rhine in March 1945. It was in this campaign where he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor while fighting in the Ruhr Valley. He also fought in Korea in 1950.
He retired in 1967 and operated several local businesses before finishing his working career out with Commercial Distributing Inc. in 1982 as an auto parts distributor. He was an avid hunter, golfer and he truly enjoyed watching his beloved Dallas Cowboys during football season. He was particularly proud of his Masonic 32nd Degree from his lodge in Guthrie. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. He was a genuinely honest and personable man who was liked by all and never met a stranger. He loved to laugh and was always upbeat and cheerful despite the health issues he faced later in life. He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his children: Wayne and Stacy Simmons, Lawton, and Twyla and Eric Kastner, Fort Bragg, N.C.; a grandchild, Jacqueline Marie Simmons, Lawton; three special extended families: Dana and Steven Rivas and their family, Hutto, Texas; Tracie and John Davis and their family, Lawton; and Tonya and Craig Williams and their family, Austin, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father; nine siblings; and a daughter, Annie Marie Simmons.
Friends may call from 3-5 p.m. today at the funeral home.
An online guest book may be signed and condolences sent by visiting www.whineryhuddleston.com
His funeral service may be viewed by live web cast at the same site.
SNYDER Funeral for Emery Charles Harthun "Pops," 82, Snyder, will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church, Snyder, with Rev. Kerry Glasgow, pastor, and the Rev. Doug Henson, Oklahoma City, officiating.
He went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, May 16, 2013, in Oklahoma City surrounded by his children.
Burial with full military honors will be in Fairlawn Cemetery, Snyder, under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home of Snyder.
Emery was born March 29, 1931, in Fosston, Minn., to Charlie and Emma Freed Harthun. He graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1949, and then went on to serve his country in the Air Force. He retired June 1, 1972, with the rank of technical sergeant after 21 years. He was a Korean War veteran. He married Gloria Joyce Perkins on Dec. 31, 1955, in Roosevelt. They lived in many places and toured the continent of Europe. Upon his retirement, he worked for the Bureau of Reclamation and attended college at night to earn his BA in electronics from Cameron University in 1979. Emery and Joyce raised four children, and gave them a heritage of faith. Joyce passed away Feb. 11, 1998.
Emery said that he learned about faith from his mother. He was a Christian man who lived his faith. He loved scripture and worshiped at First Baptist Church in Snyder where he was a deacon and Sunday school teacher. His great joys were singing bass in the choir and ministering at the nursing home.
Emery wore many hats literally. His hobbies were fishing, gardening and tending his roses, dancing and laughing with his family and friends. He was especially known for his Happy Birthday song and drawings.
Survivors include four children: Steve Harthun and wife Toni,The Colony, Texas; Mark Harthun, Altus; Karen Ramber and husband Kris, Retrop; and Robin Shockley and husband Joel, Amarillo, Texas; a sister, Helen London, Fosston, Minn.; a brother Floyd Harthun and wife Ella, Marshalltown, Iowa; grandchildren: Amee Matthews and husband John, Austin, Texas; Aaron Harthun and wife Suki, Duncan; Chase Harthun, The Colony, Texas; Alan Harthun, Altus; Bruce Sheldon and wife Vallerie, Hobart; Rachel Blair and husband Terry, Hastings; Robert Ramber, Elk City; Joshua Ramber, Elk City; Tara Ramber, Retrop; Katie Ramber, Retrop; Emma Ramber, Retrop; Karly Shockley, The Colony, Texas; and Faith Kyser and husband Zac, Amarillo, Texas; 11 great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a brother, Harold Harthun.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, 3800 N. May Avenue, OKC, OK 73112.
Sympathy cards may be sent to the family at www.beckerfuneral.com.
Memorial service with military honors for Billy Joe Singleton, 81, Lawton, will be at 2 p.m. today in Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel.
Mr. Singleton died Friday, May 17, 2013, in Lawton.
Billy Joe was born May 19, 1931, in Oklahoma City to Floyd L. and Leona Mae Henning Singleton. He enlisted in the Army on Jan. 20, 1949, and served in the Korean Conflict and was discharged June 20, 1952, as a sergeant first class. He owned and operated several businesses, the most recent being the Payday Loan Company.
Survivors include three daughters and their husbands: Patty and Les Hudson, North Richland Hills, Texas; Pam and Mark Gevaldo and Sandy and Michael Irvin, all of Houston, Texas; eight grandchildren: Kara Parker, Kali Hudson, Kami Hudson, Krissi Quinn, Kory Green, Ryan Walls, Chad Gevaldo and Kaci Gevaldo; two great-grandchildren: Logan Quinn and Avery Quinn; four siblings and their spouses: Kenneth D. and Jeanie Singleton, Chickasha; Barbara and Archie Blevins, Minco; Dennis and Virginia Singleton, Blanchard; and Shariol Warner, Lawton; a former wife, Bertha Singleton; and a longtime companion, Jean Martin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Leona Singleton; and a brother-in-law, Richard Warner.
An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com.
Celebration of life for David Allen Scruggs, 62, Lawton, is pending with Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.
Mr. Scruggs was called to be with his Lord on Saturday, May 18, 2013.
An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com.
Funeral for Cody Carleen Bigbow Sorrow, 70, Lawton, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Post Oak Mennonite Brethren Church, Indiahoma, with the Rev. Leonard Presley and Loyed Fultz, pastor, officiating.
She went to her heavenly home on Friday May 17, 2013, with her family by her side.
A prayer service will be at 7 p.m. Monday at the Comanche Nation Funeral Home.
Burial will be at Post Oak Cemetery under direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home.
Cody was born Sept. 11, 1942, in Lawton to Joe and Mae Codopony Bigbow. She was retired from the Lawton Indian Hospital. She enjoyed sewing, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include two sons: Joe and Michele Sorrow, Lawton, and James and Kristy Estes, Walters; four daughters: Denise Wood, of the home; Kimmie and Randall Shipman, McCloud; Marceline and Joseph Carroll, Cache; and Claudia and Allen Krone, Lawton; a brother, Bill Bigbow and wife Betty, Indiahoma; a sister, JoAnn Lambert, Lawton; an aunt, Ella Faye Lorene Horse, Carnegie; grandchildren: Tamra and Moway Wahahrockah, Cache; Jennifer Bentz, McAllister; Shyann Shipman, McCloud; Joey Carroll, Cache; Brandon Carroll, Cache; Graydon Carroll, Cache; Mark Early, Cache; Ryan Denio, Lawton; Carrie Denio, Clarksville, Tenn.; Clarissa Sorrow, Lawton; Jarod Monson, Walters; Jarika Estes, Walters; Jaycee Estes, Walters; Missy Bigbow Neufer, Lawton; and Cody Dodd, Sarye; great-grandchildren: Mariah, Alyssa, Aiden, Alex, Jayden, Colby, Chase and Sianna; cousins: Karen and husband Ted Kagle, Lawton; Susan Bigbow, Indiahoma; Billy Bigbow Jr. and wife Marlys; George and Alice Lonetree, Indiahoma; Glen and Tracy Lonetree, Indiahona; Rodney Lambert, Sterling; JR Lambert and Gina, Euless, Texas; June Rogers, Lawton; Edmond and Jerri Hoosier, Lawton; Becky Lambert, Lawton; and Linda and husband the Rev. Tony Elkins, Geronimo; and many extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walton "Walt" E. Sorrow; parents: Joe and Mae Bigbow; her grandmother, Tachey Codopony; a sister, Anna Mae Lonetree; uncles: Bill Codopony and Dick Codopony; aunts: Florence Codopony, Aldeen Codopony, Lola Codopony and Luetta Codopony; uncles: Nelson Bigbow, Harden Bigbow and Woodrow Bigbow; and aunts: Peal Kerchee, Lucille Poolaw and Mary Tartshah.
Friends may call from 1-6 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
ELGIN Funeral for Arza Lee "Bony" Tieyah, 61, Elgin, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Comanche Nation Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Leonard Presley and Willie Doyeto, pastor, officiating.
She went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 17, 2013, in Oklahoma City.
A prayer service will be at 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Burial will be at Highland Cemetery.
Azra Lee was born April 1, 1952, in Lawton to Julia Tieyah. He served in the Army from 1969-1971. While in the Army, he served in the war with 4th Division based at An Khe; with the 4th Division Transportation Office as a Jeep driver; with the 145th Battalion in Phu Lio; took basic combat training at Fort Lewis, Wash., advanced individual training at Fort Ord, Calif., as a personnel specialist; and served at Fort Knox, Ky., with the 401st Center. He was awarded the National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He is survived by his wife, Jana, of the home; brothers and sisters: Tim "Tiny" Tieyah-Laurenzana, Topeka, Kan.; George "Porgie" Laurenzana, Elgin; Victoria "Sister" Stroup, Irving, Texas; Fern "Baby" Brown, The Colony, Texas; Jewell "Tootie" Tieyah, Elgin; and Larry "Cobb" Laurenzana, Walters; a special adopted daughter, Amber Rae Quillin and Charlie; a special niece, Diane "Di" Han, Elgin; two close friends: Richard Velasquez, Irving, Texas and Mario "Taco Man" Castorena, Elgin; and his mother-in-law and father-in-Law: Pat and Jerrill Marsh, Troup, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Julia Tieyah Laurenzana; brothers: Ramon "Boy" Laurenzana and Chester "Oggie" Tieyah; and his grandparents: Frances Ukapetty and Tim Tieyah.
Funeral for Joan Gobble, 66, Lawton, will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Curtis Erwin, pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church, Elgin, officiating.
She passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013, in Lawton.
Burial will be at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin.
Joan was born July 17, 1946, in Jacksonville, Texas, to Vernon Floyd and Carrie Pauline Searcey Danner. She moved with her family to Odessa, Texas, where she graduated form Odessa High School in 1964. She married Melvin Gobble on Aug. 7 1966, in Odessa, Texas. She received an Associate Degree in Elementary Education. She traveled with her husband to numerous duty stations supporting his military career. After his retirement, they made Lawton their home where she worked at Fort Sill as a payroll clerk with Cantu Services for 22 years. She was a Baptist and a member of Comanche Women's Club.
Joan enjoyed a good garage sale, spending time with her grandkids, watching movies and being a homebody.
Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law: Melissa and James Wilson, Lawton, and Stacy and Randy Erwin, Comanche; stepchildren: Jack Gobble and his girlfriend, Rita MacDonald, Folsom, Calif., and Jody Parker and husband David, Montrose, Colo.; a brother, Floyd Danner and wife Sandy, Stillwell, Kan.; a sister, Sandra McDonald and husband Doug, Odessa, Texas; grandchildren: Kristopher Wilson, Katie Wilson and Makenzi Koch; and great-grandchildren: Kristopher Lee Wilson and Hailey Mullins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Melvin Gobble; and her sister and brother-in-law: Mary and Jim Stafford.
A special viewing and visitation for family and friends will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.grayfuneral.com.
Funeral for Chistopher Blake Moore, 26, Lawton, will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday in Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Marty Sheffield officiating.
Christopher died Wednesday, May 15, 2013, in Lawton.
Burial will be in Flower Mound Cemetery.
Christopher was born April 24, 1987, in Lawton, to Nathan Moore Jr. and Lisa Christine Dobson Moore. He grew up in Lawton, attending Lawton Public Schools, and graduated from MacArthur High School in 2005. As a child, he attended Western Hills Christian Church and Faith Bible Church with his family.
He was active in all the sports offered in grade school. He played basketball and football in middle school and was T-Day King candidate at Tomlinson. In high school, he focused on the sport that became his passion football. His senior year, he made the All-State Team, the OFBCA Class 5A All-Star Team and was the District 5A Linebacker of the Year. He attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University after high school, where he had received a football scholarship. He returned to Lawton from college and resided here.
Survivors include his parents: Nathan Jr. and Lisa Moore, Lawton; two brothers: Nathan "Trey" Moore III and wife Mariana Castillo, Lawton, and Logan Dane Moore, Lawton; his paternal grandparents: Nathan Sr. and Edna Moore, Newburgh, N.Y.; his maternal grandparents, Clarence Melvin and Patsy J. Dobson, Lawton; his paternal great-grandmother, Hazel Murphy, North Carolina; two nieces: Yanez Moore and Shaniya Stiger, Lawton; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and his beloved dog, Tank; and an abundance of friends who mourn his passing.
The family will greet friends from 3-5 p.m. today at the funeral home.
An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com.
Funeral for Billy Messer, 72, Lawton, is pending with Whinery-Huddleston Funeral Service.
Mr. Messer died Saturday, May 18, 2013, in Lawton.
An online gust book may be signed and condolences sent by visiting www.whineryhuddleston.com.