December 19, 2020 Issue, Page 2 of 8

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News/Obits December 19, 2020 it outside, wearing masks and there. even though they are so young Santa of their worlds have changed in this last year and they are look- having distancing. We are think- On Thursday, the Merritt El- and early in their educations. Round ing for any kind of normalcy and ing first of how to be Covid safe ementary teachers followed up We just wanted to do something happiness like we all are. Some- and then how to make this spe- that tough Santa act with a spe- fun for them. It only took maybe Continued from page 1. thing so simple turned out to be cial for them because, at the end cial Grinch day. Town something so perfect to end our of the day, they are still kids,” children squealed with de- semester and kick of Christmas Mrs. Barker stated, 20 minutes of our day to give “Teachers dressed as the Grin- them something neat.” ch and watched the movie with December 25 light. for them.” Santa circled through the Mrs. Barker described Mer- their classes,” she explained. ritt Schools as a “family com- Christmas Day “My dad was driving the fire As much as the educators parking lot for approximately “We are making ornaments and Community Christmas truck and he said the sound that wanted to have this Yuletide ten minutes. The adoring pre-K doing our music program. ‘This munity.” those babies made was probably festivity, they were also aware to fourth grade students waved has not been the year any of us “We get a lot of support from Dinner sponsored by Life Community Foun- the sweetest sound he has ever that Covid precautions would be and cheered. have wanted, but we have also the teachers, the parents and the dation - Elk City Con- heard,” Mrs. Barker recount- needed. “Well, we were definitely in gotten to see the best in our co- alumni. Merritt is a great part of vention Center. ed. “It was glee — pure bliss. I “This was perfect because the the Christmas mood after that,” workers, our students and their Elk City and I feel blessed every mean, they were so excited and kids still got to see Santa and see she laughed. parents. These kids are doing ev- day to teach these kids and be December 18 in such a genuine way. So much their friends excited, but we did The week’s fun didn’t end erything that are asked of them, part of it,” Mrs. Barker added. Participating _retail businesses open late un- “This has helped become more things, plus it smells good. The in common. A strong work ethic they know how to communi- til7 p.m. December 31 Soap efficient in other areas of our skin is the biggest organ in your business, but truthfully, I just body, so putting pure ingredi- like doingit. ents in your soap makes sense is vital for her ranch and Brown cate their feelings. And every Cow Soap. She also simply val- morning and every evening, I ues the community of friend- pet each one. Then after they ‘New Years Eve ship she and the cows share. are done milking, I say, ‘Thank Continued from page 1. After creating the skincare for overall health,” she said. line, York has developed a faith- York also has gift certificates “My kids are getting to you for coming to work today? January 1 be teenagers and one nearly ‘A dairy cow could really make New Years Day Prior to dairy, York and her ful following spanning beyond available. grown,” she said. “They don’t your day miserable if they were husband were already involved her Elk City retailer and sur- In addition to the beauty care Due to the COVID-19 in cattle production. Through rounding areas. line, York stays busy with her always laugh at my jokes like fighting you, but my girls seem they used to. But, I can get up to know that we have to work pandemic, many events this side gig, which has now ex- “I give exclusivity to one shop family’s other ranching respon- per town, so it is a wonder that sibilities and selling insurance. and milk my cows in the morn- together. I think you feel that have been cancelled, ploded into a full-time position, ing — always by hand — and sense of love with our soap.” post-poned or modi- York has learned of the impor- it has spread the way it has. We “Tve learned that about four 1 know they are happy to see For more information, visit fied. Please check with tance of “utter health.” have fans in Australia, Germa- or five hours of asleep is enough me, They have their routine and www.browncowsoap.com. the event coordinator “I can see how a heifer will do ny, in several states. The butter if you just run yourself deliri- looking at her bag before she cream is great for people with ous,” she giggled. to make sure of any changes. has ever calved,” York explained. eczema. It helps with a lot of York and her cows have that Gary Brooks Gary Wayne Brooks was plans to pursue the law school western Oklahoma is full of my speaking is enough to help you FFA option and become an attorney. people. Agriculture has allowed with any career. Agriculture “I want to focus on agricul- me to go in different parts of the is the one thing we all have in born June 20, 1947 in Sham- rock, Texas to Ollie Elizabeth (Stroud) and Isacc Ross Brooks. Continued from page 1. tural law. Farmers and rancher country and that is always fun, common because we all have He passed away Sunday, De- don’t want to take time away but it also let's me know there is to eat. Learning about this can ‘The name might have been an from their farm or ranch. They no place like home. I love it out make you a better consumer, cember 13th, 2020 at Elk City, omen. Just as Lamar won the want to pour their energy into here.” Oklahoma at the age of 73 most Grammy nominations in that. So many farmers have Smith, like all kids his current you can learn about your health years, 5 months and 23 days. 2016, Duckworth was the run- given their life in service to me age, has not had a conventional and make friends all over,” he Gary grew up in Erick, away star at the NAIE. to the pandemic. boasted. and others, so I want to give my senior year due Oklahoma where he attended However, Smith's other two professional life serving them Covid-19 has reduced events, so Smith, a devotee of Canes Erick High School graduat- sheep also faired well. on the legal side so they can put he is hoping to see more virtual chicken and The Office, calls ing in 1965. After graduation Mich, named after the state their energy where it is most speech contests come in to take feeding at the ag barn his main he enlisted in the Army Na- children, Lindsay Brooks, Okla- Michigan from where he hailed, needed — raising our food,” their place. hobby. He enjoys reading and tional Guard and also began homa City, OK and Clay Brooks was announced the reserve Smith explained. “We have the big New Year fishing when he has time. champion in the natural divi- Smith also sees that agricul- show at Ada from December his career in the oil field that and wife, Kristal, Elk City, OK; sion and Smith's third sheep, ET, ture can serve more needs than 30-January 2,” Smith said. “Nor- He counts learning the par- spanned 40 years. Throughout 1 grandson, Tyler Wade Brooks; placed 9th in his class. simply providing food. In the mally we would have the big re- liamentary procedures detailed jhis life he was married to his 1 brother, Charles Ross Brooks, “It was an exciting week,” speech that won him the top placement show in Denver, but in Roberts Rules of Order, the first wife, and the mother of Hesperus, CO; the mother of Smith said. “I do try to always accolades at both he OPSU and now we are doing that in Chicka- steps that dictate everything his children, Linda Forgay and his children, Linda Forgay, put in the work to be prepared, OSU contests, he focused on ag- sha. Instead of driving eight or from homeowners associations later Paula Miller then Sharron Oklahoma City, OK; wife and but being honored so much in ricultural rehabilitation for vet- nine hours, we'll be two hours to United States Congress, has Burnam. He was a member of special person, Sharron Bur- one week was special.” erans suffering with post trau- away. That will be easier for me another benefit of FEA. the Masonic Lodge and the Er- nam, Elk City, OK and a host of| Smith has agriculture in his matic stress disorder, to get to with my sheep. Then we “At camp we read the Gettys- ick First Baptist Church. Gary other relatives and friends. blood. Showing has taught him “Around Stillwater, we see burg Address in parts. I had five to give 100% in all ventures. several of these agricultural re- will have the Oklahoma Youth also enjoyed hunting, fishing Memorial services will be Expo. Then we will start the of my teeth knocked out in an His love for sheep was found- habilitations. They are mostly speech season in March after intense game of kickball whenI and watching the University of held Tuesday, December 22, ed with his grandfather Mike in the northeastern part of the Oklahoma football. 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Brick Cem- Sites, Smith grew up watching state. I want to see them in the Spring Break. We didn’t get that went head on with a pipe fence He is preceded in death by etery. Services are under the his grandfather raise show sheep southwest, too. We can see the last year because everything was the night before a stock show in his parents; brother, J.R. Sim- direction of Chris Whinery and on his Sweetwater farm. practical way that agriculture cancelled, so I am excited to see Tulsa. I was panicking, but I got mons; sister, Glenda Sue Bass; the staff of Affordable Crema- “Tliked to help him when I was can be a real way to address the the opportunities that come up.” through it and now it is a funny son, Richard Wade and his sec- tion Service-West. Condolences little feeding the babies on a bot- mental health needs of suffering Smith urges all students — memory. Everything about FFA tle,” Smith recalled. “My grand- communities. One of those ways even those who didn’t grow up benefits me, whether it is some- ond wife, Paula Miller. Gary is survived by his 2 can be made online at www. father has also always worked is through equine therapy. It is a in agriculture — to give FFA a thing [laugh about or something classicfunerals.com in production agriculture on the fairly new school of thought, but chance. that will go with in adulthood. farming side. I was blessed to it has proven beneficial. These “One of my favorite things to You don’t have to be a farmer's fall in love with it early on as a veterans can create real relation- do is mentor new freshmen. You grandkid to get something from Vernon Birdwell child.” ships with these horses, but a see a lot of kids who don’t think this program. You just need to From there, Smith was intro- horse is not going to judge you. FEA has something for them, Vernon Clarence Birdwell duced to showing livestock. As they form trust, they form a but it does, You don’t even have go in with an open mind and the passed away Sunday, Decem- “T really got to see what FFA bond and what would otherwise to show livestock as a main in- program will open up and giveto ‘ber 13, 2020, after a long battle has to offer through my older seem like a day of work becomes terest. What you get in public you like it has me.”. with dementia. He was born to sister, Emily,” Smith said. “She therapy. That's not the only ag Sam and Ruby (Wofford) Bird- makes showing look easy. She therapies available, though. is five or six inches shorter than ‘These veterans can get out and Dana McCullough wellon May 18, 1938 in Clinton, me and has a natural ease with become one with nature and the OK. Vernon was the baby of six animals.” food they are producing,” Smith Dana Kay McCullough was children growing up in Butler, Four year his senior, Smith advised. born December 17th, 1946 at OK. “Snake” was a star basket- observed his older sibling excel He also sees an increased need Elk City, Oklahoma to Veda ball player and graduated from in FFA. through the Covid-19 crisis. Fay (Evans) and WD Price. She Butler High School in 1957. “I watched her branch out of “The pandemic has sparked a passed away Saturday, Decem- Upon graduation he moved to just showing livestock and got to whole new mental health crisis ber 12th, 2020 at her home in Weatherford and went to work see the other opportunities,” he that is everywhere. I see agricul- for Marion Davidson Ford as a ture as a means to address part stated. “It made me really inter- Elk City, Oklahoma at the age ceded in death by his parents, of 73 years, 11 months and 25 mechanic. He spent summers Sam and Ruby Birdwell; three ested in learning about service of that,” Smith reported. Smith is not certain yet where days. on wheat harvest throughout leadership.” brothers, TM Birdwell, Frank ‘Through that, Smith was in- he will apply to law school. Af Dana grew up in Elk City, the Midwest, from Oklahoma Birdwell, and Paul Birdwell; two spired for what he hopes to be ter completion, though, he does Oklahoma where she was a to Montana, before joining the sisters, Freelin Doak and Edna his future career. seem to know where he wants to ‘member of the class of 1964. Army in 1960. Vernon was sta- “My sister is currently at live. During her high school years tioned in Germany prior to the Jo Bowen. Vernon is survived OSU; he said. “I'm planning on she was married to Lyndell “I definitely want to come Vietnam War. Vernon returned by his wife Bobbie Birdwell of attending there with a major in back to western Oklahoma,” Keith McCullough at Cordell, City, OK and LaJeana Thomp- Yukon, Ok; sons Greg and wife to Weatherford after his time agricultural business with the he said. “Agriculture has given Oklahoma on July 10, 1962. son and husband, Robert, Elk in the Army and started his Debi of Oklahoma City; Kevin option for law school.” everything to me, so I want to City, OK; 4 grandchildren, Ca- ‘After completing that goal, he give everything back to it. And They made their home for a leb Dixon and wife,Hailey, Jami career in the oilfield. He met and Jennifer of Yukon, Ok; short time in Cordell before Bobbie Ann Pope at College grandsons Brady Birdwell, Ri- moving to Elk City where they Dixon, Tyler Thiessen and wife, Grocery in Weatherford and ley Birdwell, and Nicholas Bird- "ElkCituNews made their home in 1963. Dana Payton and Travis Thiessen and after dating for a while, they well; as well as many nieces and ‘was employed with area cot- wife, Nicole; 9 great grandchil- married on January 22, 1966. nephews. Viewing will be held They were married 54 years Sunday, December 20, 2020 ton gin’s as a book keeper un- dren; brother, Ronald Price and til she and Lyndell bought the wife, Sharon, Rockwall, TX and 11 months. Vernon and Bob- from 1 to 8 PM at McNeil’s Fu- Ford dealership in Sayre, Okla- ‘bie were blessed with two sons; (USPS # 173-020) fhoma on December 15, 1984. a host of other relatives and Greg and Kevin. In 1972, the neral Service, 525 State Hwy 580-225-3000 They owned and operated Me- close life long friends. family followed the oil boom, 152, Mustang, OK. The family will be present from 3 to 5 PM. Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC Cullough Ford for the next 26 Funeral services will be held moving to Utah and Wyoming. years and also run the family Wednesday, December 16, In 1974, they moved back ‘We respectfully ask that masks 109 W. Broadway, EU Ik City, OK 73644-4736 to Elk City where they made be worn during attendance due Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 ranches that they established. 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at Grandview Throughout the years, Dana de- Church officiated by Pastor their home for 38 years. After to the pandemic. Graveside POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644 signed house plans on graft pa~ 36 years working for Vierson service will be on Monday, De- per and Lyndell built her house Mark Little. Burial will be held and Cochran, Parker Drilling, cember 21, 2020 at 2:00 PM at SUBSCRIPTIONS Josh Umholtz to her specs. Dana enjoyed at Fairlawn Cemetery under the Nabors Drilling, Quarles Pe- the Mustang Cemetery, South Deliverd by mail: Publisher horseback riding, working out- direction of Chris Whinery and troleum, and lastly UTI, “Ace” Mustang Road, Mustang OK. doors, raising and showing lla- the staff of Affordable Crema- ‘hung up his hardhat for the last $75iyearly Amy Loynd time and retired in 2000. After Due to COVID-19, the family $50/six months Business Manager mas and spending time with tion Service-West. Condolences retirement, Vernon spent his plans to do a celebration of life hher family and friends. No refunds on subscriptions. Neva Pyatt can be made online at www. She is preceded in death by classicfunerals.com time working in the yard, play- ‘on Vernon's birthday, May 18, Advertising Director ing golf with his brothers, and 2021. All friends and family are her parents. editor @ecdailynews.com D’Ann Brasuell Dana is survived by her hus- Donations can be made to watching his favorite soaps on welcome. In lieu of flowers, the sports @ecdailynews.com Production Manager band of 58 years, Lyndell, of Traditions Hospice of Elk City TV. In 2012, Vernon and Bob- family kindly asks donations [email protected] Maressa Margerum the home; 2 daughters, DaLana or Alzheimer’s Association in bie moved to Yukon, Ok to be be made to the OK Medical Re- classifieds @ecdailynews.com Customer Service Rep Dixon and husband, Danny, Elk Dana McCullough name. closer to family. Vernon is pre- search Foundation.