December 14, 2024 Issue, Page 2 of 12

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2+ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2024 The Elk City News OBITUARIES SHIRLEY BIRDWELL CAROL POTTER raucous hustle and bustle of India, the mysticism of Machu Picchu, the wonder of Mayan, Shirley Jean Birdwell was Carol Sue Potter of Lafayette, Plahn, Chase Jonjak, Colton Greek and Roman ruins. born on August 22, 1939, to Colorado passed away peace- Jonjak Plahn, Mary Eizraelov, Carol graced the world with Reuben Robert and Addie Ma- fully in her home at Lafayette, Tamar Eizraelov: and Pierre- her charm, strength, intelli- rie (Bartley) Morris in Sayre, Colorado on November 27, Jean Mayol, her exchange stu- gence, elegance, and love of OK. She passed on December 2024.. Carol was born in Elk dent “adopted” son. life. She and her husband, Paul 9, 2024, in Elk City, OK at the City Oklahoma on February Carol never forgot her roots Jonjak, were blessed to be able age of 85 years, 3 months, and 8, 1950 to John “Jack” Colville asa farm girl in Elk City, Okla- to share every moment of the 17 days. and Ernestine Helen (Currier) homa even as she achieved rec- last 30 years, whether at work Shirley grew up in Sayre and Potter. ognition as an extraordinary or at play, hand-in-hand with attended Sayre Public Schools She loved people and was dentist and entrepreneur. Car- bonded souls. She graduated with the class beloved by so many. Her par- ol showed those she mentored Despite the challenges of de- of 1957. On June 24, 1958, she ents, Jack and Ernestine Pot- and worked with what passion, mentia, Carol and Paul made married Robert “Paul” Bird- perseverance, and a drive for family horse, jumping from ter her brother Robert Potter, the most of their last years to- well and to this union two and her Uncle Bob and Aunt excellence can achieve. the hay loft, picnicking by the gether, aided by the love and children were born, Bobby Nola predeceased her. She is She was a force of nature, a ponds of her childhood home, support of friends and fami- and Regina. After Shirley mar- grandchildren. survived by her husband, Paul beacon of love, and a true ex- canoeing wilderness rivers, ly She was the sunshine in our ried, they made their home in She is preceded in death by Jonjak; siblings James Potter, ample of what it means to live skiing black diamond slopes, lives and will live on forever in Sayre, Pampa, TX, Weather- her husband Paul Birdwell, Debra Gholston, Errol Gross- life to the fullest. Never an idle preparing gourmet banquets, our memory and dreams. ford, Binger, and finally Burns parents Reuben and Addie man, John Potter, Margaret moment as she balanced pro- collecting art, taking in the A memorial service will be Flat. She performed many Morris, sister Myrtice Curl, DeMauro; her stepchildren fessional achievements with theater whether on Broadway held at the Elk City United jobs throughout her life which and brother R.C. Morris. ‘Arwen Mogab, Sarah Mogab, an exuberant embrace of the in New York or in London, and Methodist Church at 11:00 included a nursing assistant She is survived by her chil- Mark Jonjak, Katherine Jonjak; things that make life a journey world travel from Antarctica AM. Saturday, December 14, at Sayre Memorial Hospi- dren Bobby Birdwell and their children Elizabeth Jonjak of joy. Riding “Freckles”, the to the great wall of China, the 2024. tal, cook at Burns Flat High wife Jill of Burns Flat, OK, School, and also secretary at and Regina Birdwell of Burns Burns Flat High School. She Flat, OK; three grandchildren Charles Carpenter, and Rus- worked as the secretary for 22 Megan Britton and husband Danny of Burns Flat, OK, Jake JOHN CARPENTER sell (Cody) Carpenter; sisters: Cynthia Carpenter and Belinda years before she retired. In her spare time, Shirley Birdwell of Corn, OK, and John Edmund Carpenter, 83, ty Robbins and Merle Haggard. Sullivan; sisters-in-law: Anita enjoyed camping and visiting Katie Birdwell of Burns Flat, was born March 28, 1941 to Ed- He was also a World War II Carpenter and Mary Fern Car- with friends. She spent many OK; two great grandchildren mund and Johnnie Belle (Parks) buff, watching documentaries penter; nephews: Cham (Amy) hours working in her yard and Bryler Britton and Zala Bird- Carpenter in Elk City, OK. He and reading books about it, es- Carpenter, Andrew (Melanie taking care of her flowers. She well; sister Nina Jackson of suffered a massive stroke onpecially those involving aircraft. Neal) Carpenter, Christopher loved to spend time with her Weatherford, OK; many niec- November 30 and passed away After graduation, John helped (Bridget) Carpenter; Eric (Tif- family especially when it came es, nephews, extended family December 4, 2024 at St. Antho- out on the ranch for a few fany Bjorlie) Hilaire, Edmund to her grandchildren and great and a host of friends. ny Hospital in Oklahoma City. months, then joined the United Cade Carpenter, Frank (Patsy) John grew up on the family Bay during the Cuban Missile Sullivan, Jon Mark (Jordan) States Navy, reporting for duty ranch in southeastern Roger in March 1960 and completing Crisis. After finishing his stint Sullivan; Caleb (Courtney) “ElkCituNews Mills County and graduated from Hammon High School his service in March 1964 with a rank designation of Aviation in the US Navy in New Iberia, LA, John returned to West- in 1959, He was very involved Structural Mechanic 2 (AMS2). ern Oklahoma, purchased a Carpenter, and Colton (Brit- tany) Carpenter. Also, nieces: Pam (Gale) Parman, Paula (Jer- in Future Farmers of America, His initial assignment was at truck and combine, and began ry) Brown, Teresa (Kelly) Kil- (USPS # 173-020) highlighted by being a member Naval Support Activity Mid- doing custom harvesting. He hoffer, Cheri’ (Shawn) Tennery, 580-225-3000 of the Hammon FFA team that South base outside of Memphis, was later joined by his broth- Kahler (John Partain) Sim- Is published once weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC won the 1959 National Land ‘TN for training in Airman Fun- er Daniel, with another truck mons, Karli Carpenter, Kirsten 109 W. Broadway Elk City, OK 73644-4736 and Range Judging competi- damentals and Aircraft Struc- and combine. Although John (Brock) Vaughn, and Jesi Periodicals Posta aid at Elk City, OK 73644 tion, A lifelong outdoorsman, tures. As an Aviation Structur- drove trucks for various com- (Norman) Robison; 11 great John took a great interest in al Mechanic, John was one of panies and businesses through nephews, 16 great nieces and POSTMASTER: Send address chang.ges to PO Box 964, Elk City, OK 73648 waterfowl at an early age and the few people who could say the years, he also continued 1 great-great nephew; a host of could easily identify any duck he could work on every inch harvesting locally for a long other relatives; and many, many or goose. In his teen years of every kind of Navy aircraft, time. For several recent years, friends and associates. Pre- SUBSCRIPTIONS his hunting efforts produced keeping a close eye on every John has been in a farming and ceding John in death were: his Deliverd by mail: Sheryl Ponce....Staff Writer enough down for several pil- system and piece of equipment. ranching partnership with his parents, Edmund Clifford and $50/ Yearly Print Only Neva Pyatt....Advertising Director lows. He was an active member He could easily identify differ- brother Charles. One of John’s Johnnie Belle Parks Carpenter; $60/ Yearly Print + Online of the non-profit organization ent types of aircraft, much like first trucking jobs was driving two brothers, Clifford Cody $40/ Online Only Gina Jones, Advertising Director Ducks Unlimited, Inc, the he did varieties of ducks and regularly to the Army base at Carpenter and Daniel Lee Car- No refunds on subscriptions. Nancy Karnowski leader in wetland and water- geese. John was stationed at Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos), penter; former wife, Suzanne elkcitynews@ gmail.com Tina Dobbs fowl conservation. He enjoyed the Naval Air Station Bermu- TX for Elk City’s Kelly Dairy; he Houser; brother-in law, Mark elkcitynewsadvertising@ gmail.com listening to music by Johnny da from January 1961 through later hauled primarily oil and Sullivan; sister-in-law, Robyn [email protected] Cash, and others such as Way- October 1962 and was assigned lumber for Bray Truck Lines Gammon Carpenter; and a lon Jennings, Bobby Bare, Mar- to the Expeditionary - Cuban of Cushing, OK; picked up and nephew-in-law, Billy Bankston. Military Operation, for which delivered farm equipment, as Services are scheduled at 2 pm. Saturday, December 7 in Providing, comfort and suynaott for End of Life chotoes he received a medal. After the well as new equipment from the US discovered Soviet nucle- factory, for King-Lindsey, Inc. ar missiles had been secretly of Cordell, OK; and moved frac the Elk City Fairlawn Cemetery Chapel with Pastor Dolan Ivey Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual installed in Cuba, John was a tanks for Southern Tanks’ Elk officiating. Burial will follow in resources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as structural mechanic on Martin City yard. Grandview Cemetery. Visita- cancer or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the P5M Marlins - the largest and Survivors include: his daugh- tion will be Friday, December last flying boats utilized by the ter: Ashley Dickey, grandson: 6 from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. at practical details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. US Navy. His squadron served Austin Sutherlin, granddaugh- Whinery Funeral Service, on For questions regarding hospice service or eligibilty, contac’ as an anti-submarine air patrol ter: Alyssa Rodriguez, brothers: the corner of Country Club and for Naval Station Guantanamo Frank (Scharleen) Carpenter, Washington Streets in Elk City. Carrie Perry, RN - Administrator Holli Brittain, RN - MANAGER OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES —— SOME OF THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS ARE: ——— * Cancer ¢ Failure to Thrive * End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) * End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) * End Stage Amyotrophic Protect your family. Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) » End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) * End Stage Liver Disease + End Stage Renal Disease * AIDS/HIV + End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s Safely store all medications. PREVENTION EFFORTS IN YOUR COUNTY Program funded by Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, SWODA, and local coalitions. Ps2> OKLAHOMA Spx© Mental Moral Heat Health & use SAFER <= Carrie Perry, RN <> = Currell’s No Tax Holiday December 13th and 14th Maytag and Whirlpool 3106 S. Highway 6 Elk City, OK YoIt 580-225-1941 center