HOL/LCJ weekly newsletter 11-16-2023

The HOL/LCJ weekly newsletter for Thursday

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Bible verse of the day

Bible verse for Thursday:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, since as members of one body you were called to be peace. And be thankful.

--Colossians 3:15

Blast from the past

2008-2009 Heavener boys basketball team.

Lundy Kiger

Lundy Kiger, 69, passed away Nov. 13, 2023, in Tulsa and was born Oct. 4, 1954 to Ronnie and Shirley Kiger in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

A celebration of life service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Victory Worship Center in Spiro with Brother Bryan Fouts officiating.

Surviving family members are his wife, Samantha, of the home;, one son Joe Kiger and wife Katie of Little Rock, Arkansas; and three daughters Miranda Palmer and husband H of Roland, Hailey Geren and husband Bobby of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Mya Hess and Fiancé Jared Jones of Poteau; four grandchildren Havyn and Hudsyn Palmer, Samuel Kiger and Kade Geren.

He was preceded by his parents;, and one brother, Jody Kiger.

Casket bearers are Gabe Silva, John Galetka, Chevy Galetka, Hank Galetka, Erick Vasquez, Tiajuanna Mendez, Jimmy Atkinson, Louie Slagle, Parker Killion, Gus Gutierrez, Chucho Betanzos, Edwardo Gutierrez, Bret Ellis, Tristan Palmer and Bobby Morrison. Honorary casket bearers are Joe Bates, Keith Gravlee, H Palmer, Jared Jones and Donnie Lewis.  

Britain Wilson

Funeral service for Britain Alexander Wilson, 24, of Poteau is 2 p.m. Saturday at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau with Jim Cook officiating.

Burial will follow at the Monroe Cemetery, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.

He was born Aug. 5, 1999 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Sheila (Wilson) Castillo and Jose Castillo and passed away Nov. 14, 2023 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  

Survivors include his parents; grandmothers Vicki Wilson, and Marta Castillo; brothers Branson Castillo and Alena, Brextan Castillo, Breckin Castillo and Nikolas Castillo; and sisters Brooklyn Wilson and Brendolyn Castillo.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Leonard Wilson, and Jose Luis Castillo.

Pallbearers are LT Booth, Kole Hadley, Jordan Cannon, Justin Wilson, Alex Humphries and Jeremy Humphries.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.  

L.D. Johnson

L.D. Johnson passed away peacefully Nov. 12, 2023. 

For 89 years, L.D. brightened every room he entered with his relentless positivity, playful spirit, infectious laugh, and fierce love for his family, friends, and players.  L.D. was a hall of fame coach and a hall of fame man.

As he loved to tell his grandkids every time they drove past, L.D. was born under a tree in the Arkoma bottoms Oct. 25, 1934 to Clora and Henry Johnson.  He spent his formative years in Arkoma picking guitar, picking spinach, and playing every sport he could.  L.D. graduated from Spiro High School and Northeastern State University, where he played baseball.  

L.D. married the love of his life, Martha Johnson (yes, Johnson was her maiden name), Sept. 7, 1957 and spent the next 66 years building and living a truly beautiful marriage.  To watch L.D. and Martha’s love—to see the playfulness when they joked with one another, to hear Martha yell “D!” when he was being ornery, to see the tenderness when they held hands, to watch L.D. dutifully and proudly carry Martha’s purse from slot machine to slot machine at the Choctaw casino—was to witness true love firsthand. 

Coach Johnson found his calling at a young age and spent his life dedicated to coaching, teaching, mentoring, and investing in young people.  L.D. spent more than 30 years teaching history and English and coaching everything from basketball to baseball to track and field.  But L.D.’s true passion was coaching football, which he did with zeal and skill for more than 20 years.  L.D. won seven conference championships, seven district championships, had three undefeated regular seasons, and coached dozens of college athletes and the All-State South team.  As everyone who played for him knew, for L.D., coaching was always about more than making a game plan and calling plays, it was about making a positive impact on the players under his care.  L.D. loved his players fiercely and took as much pride in preparing them for football games as he did in preparing them for life.  As L.D.’s former players would attest, they would have run through a brick wall for him because they knew that he would run through one for them.  L.D. was always deeply proud of the lifelong relationships he forged with his former players.  As recognition for a remarkable career spent shaping his players and his community, L.D. was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame in 1984.  

L.D. was a renowned storyteller and loved nothing more than spinning a good yarn while his grandkids or his former football players (or really anyone) listened intently.  He loved to entertain with stories about playing country music on Garrison Avenue as a young man, about the series of National Lampoon’s-style detours on the family’s first trip to Disney, or about that time he won enough money in a poker game to buy an engagement ring to give to Martha, every story ending with L.D.’s signature laugh.  After he retired from coaching, L.D. could often be found holding court at the Spiro Tag Office vividly recounting every minute of football games from years past when his players would pay him a visit. 

The pride of L.D.’s life was his family.  He was a doting father and an adoring grandfather who looked for any excuse to treat his grandkids to a Braum’s ice cream cone.  L.D. took great pride in driving around town and showing off his grandkids to anyone who would listen.  And, of course, L.D. saved his best storytelling skills for those about his family, which he always told with his chest poked out just a little further.

L.D.’s life was also marked by his abundant faith.  L.D. came to faith in Talihina.  L.D. was in his first job as a coach and he and Martha would clean the Talihina First Baptist church at night for extra money.  In Talihina and far from home, their young family found a loving and welcoming community of faith and L.D. devoted his life to Christ.  L.D. lived out his faith with devotion and spent a lifetime modeling the definition of servant leadership.

A celebration of life for L.D. Johnson will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Spiro First Baptist Church with burial to follow in the New Hope Cemetery in Spiro, under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home.

Viewing hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, with the family visiting with friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.  You may leave an online tribute and sign his guest book by visiting www.MalloryMartinFuneralHomeSpiro.com   As L.D. would want, in lieu of flowers, please donate to your local Democratic Party Committee. We joke, but we know L.D. would appreciate that, please direct any donations to the Spiro High School Football program in memory of Coach L.D. Johnson in support of his beloved Bulldogs. (600 West Broadway, Spiro, OK. 74959)

As L.D. would say, he’s going to be out of pocket for a while, but we look forward to hearing his stories and his laugh one day again in heaven. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Martha Johnson; his daughter Carla Kimmel and husband Rod; his son Mark Johnson and wife Rhonda; his grandchildren Christopher Kimmel, Matthew Johnson, Corey Kimmel, and Rachel Johnson, and his first great-grandbaby Patrick Kimmel. 

We all miss L.D. so much. 

Maxine Taylor

Memorial service for Maxine Taylor, 102, of Fort Smith, Arkansas is 2 p.m. Friday at Mallory-Martin Chapel in Spiro with Justin "Jab" Warren officiating.

Cremation is under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in Spiro.

Maxine was born July 30, 1921 in Bokoshe to Mabel Pauline (Folsom) Powell and Rufus Augustus Powell and passed away Nov. 11, 2023 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Survivors include her sister, Eloise P. Gamble; nieces Kiawana Altman, Gayle Anne Schardt and Teresa Norris; numerous great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Glenna Taylor; nephews R.C Gamble, Jr, Robert Todd Gamble, Dan Powell Gamble and Lincoln Derek Gamble.

You may leave an online message at www.mallorymartinfuneralhomespiro.com.

Justin Hedrick

Memorial Service for Justin Hedrick, 46, of Hodgen will be held at a later date by the family.

Cremation is under the direction of Grace Funeral Service of Poteau.

Justin was born May 3, 1977 in Hanford, California to Paula (Tyler) and Roger Hedrick and passed away  Nov. 12, 2023 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Justin enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors. He worked for Hodgen Butane Company for over 20 years.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia; sons Spencer Montgomery and Sheldon Hedrick; parents Roger and Paula (Tyler) Hedrick; uncle, Freeman Tyler; half-sister, Carrie Guiterrez; and numerous other family members and friends.

You may leave an online message at www.gracemanorfh.com.

Billy John Stanley

Funeral service for Billy John Stanley, 87, of Spiro is 1 p.m. Saturday at Lighthouse at the Crossroads in Spiro with Reverend Howard Jeffery officiating.

Burial will follow at Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home.

Billy John was born April 20, 1936 in Washington, Indiana to Rose (Gray) Stanley and Levi Stanley and passed away Nov. 12, 2023 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. 

He was married to Patsy (Jeffery) Stanley. Billy enjoyed watching the news, westerns and raising chickens. He also loved arguing with his grandchildren, but would worry himself to pieces about them and his family. Billy John loved the Lord.

Survivors include his wife, Patsy Stanley; daughters Rosemary Jeffery, Margie Ann Cooper and husband Leonard; son, John Henry Stanley; grandchildren Benny Cooper, Brad Cooper and wife Mercedes, Molly Jeffery and husband Jack Wayne, Patsy Ward and husband Jackie, Tara Jeffery, Natalie Jeffery, Henry Jeffery and wife Lulann; great grandchildren Riviera Jeffery, Ravena Jeffery, Rosemary Jeffery, Hunter Jeffery, Memphis Ward, Molly Ward, Letty Ward, Kingston Jeffery, Brad Cooper, Amelia Cooley, Emma Cooley and Henry Cooper; sister, Margie Jeffery, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in law, Henry Jeffery;, and sister, Ellie "DD" Harrison.

Viewing and visitation is Friday from noon to 8 p.m. with a wake service from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Lighthouse at the Crossroads Church in Spiro.

You may leave an online message at www.mallorymartinfuneralhomespiro.com.

Dorothy Harris

Dorothy Jene Harris, 76, of Waldron, Arkansas formerly of Howe) was born June 22, 1947 in Vandervoort, Arkansas to Leonard and Maud (Winkley) Lamkin and passed away Nov. 11, 2023 in Waldron, Arkansas.

Funeral service was Wednesday at the Waldron Pentecostal Church of God Church with Reverend Konnor McKay and Steve Henderson officiating.

Burial followed in Heavener Memorial Park, under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

Dorothy was a longtime resident of the area. She worked at Tyson Foods until she retired. Dorothy owned and operated a dairy farm. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. Dorothy will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by one son, Terry Harris, of Waldron, Arkansas; three grandchildren Adena Harris, William Helton and Buddy Helton; and numerous other relatives and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bernard Harris; one son, Timothy Harris; one daughter, Tammy Johnson; and two brothers Bill Grady and Leon Lampkin.

Pallbearers are Tommy Christopher, Dana Lampkin, Tammie Winkley, T.J. Bender, David Nelson and Shasta Christopher. Honorary pallbearer is Travis May

Viewing will be from noon until 5 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and 1 p.m. until service time Wednesday at the church.

To sign Dorothy’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

Clifford Weaver

Funeral service for Clifford Weaver, 87, is 2 p.m. Friday at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau with Jim Cook officiating.

Burial will follow at the Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.

He was born May 22, 1936 in Williams and passed away Nov. 12, 2023.

Surviving family members are children Randy Weaver and wife Tanna Weaver, and Ronda Weaver; grandchildren Randall and Karen Weaver, Brandon and Angelia Weaver, Ashely and Philemon Ray, and Hanna Weaver and Jeremy James; 21 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; and a brother, Alford Weaver.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bobby; grandson, Billy Wilson, two brothers Melford Weaver and Clifton Weaver;  and three sisters Goldie Fowler, Joyce Smith and Silvia Weaver.

Ernest Mackey

Funeral service for Ernest Dean Mackey, 67, of Spiro was Wednesday at Mallory-Martin Chapel in Spiro with Rockey Boggs officiating.

Ernie was born Dec. 26, 1955 in Bakersfield, California to Betty Gene (Beeler) and Albert Lee Mackey and passed away Nov. 11, 2023 in Pocola. 

Ernie was a Christian who loved the Lord and loved his family dearly.

Survivors include his mother, Betty Mackey; brother, Ronnie Mackey; nieces Christal Chappell and husband Buck, and Shaya Jackson and husband Brian; nephew, Jamie Mackey; numerous great nieces; great nephews; cousins; family; and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Albert Lee Mackey; and brother, Monte “Blue” Mackey. 

Pallbearers were his family and friends.

 You may leave an online message at www.MalloryMartinFuneralHomeSpiro.com

Donnie Tucker

Funeral service for Donnie Tucker, 72, of Cameron was Tuesday at Calvary Church in Poteau with Tim Painter officiating.

Burial followed at Fairhill Cemetery in Cameron, under the direction of Grace Funeral Service of Poteau, Oklahoma.

He was born Sept. 2, 1951 in Cameron to Mary Louise (Easton) Tucker and Harrell F. Tucker and passed away Nov. 10, 2023 in Cameron. 

He was married to Lajune Bailey on July 05,1971 in Cameron, Oklahoma.

Donnie was preceded in death by father, Harrell Tucker; and brother David Tucker.

Survivors include his wife Lajune Tucker; mother, Mary Tucker; sons Rodney Bailey, Steven Tucker and wife Ronda, and Shawn Tucker and wife Ariel; sisters Karen Russell and husband Doug, Janie Brady and husband Chris; brothers Jerry Tucker and wife Beth, Chester " Eugene " Tucker and wife Jessie; grandchildren Tiffany Tucker, Colby Tucker, Travis Tucker, Trevor Tucker and Carter Standifer.  

Pallbearers were Jason Tucker, Jacob Tucker, Matthew Carmack, Jeffery Tucker, David Tucker and Adam Tucker. Honorary pallbearers were Chad Neal and Dalton Tucker.

 You may leave an online message at www.gracemanorfh.com.

Bill Brown

Graveside service for William "Bill" Brown, 88, of Heavener was Wednesday at the United States National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas with Reverend Shawn Caldwell officiating.

Services were under the direction of Grace Funeral Service of Poteau.

William Vore Brown was born July 23, 1935 in Fort Dodge, lowa to Leota Zelva (Vore) and William George Brown and passed away Nov. 8, 2023 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Bill was a Navy Veteran, worked for International Harvester for 20 years, and then extended his career to Bell Helicopter where he was employed for 11 years. He enjoyed building model ships and loved raising his longhorns, he was also a member of Pilgrams Rest Baptist Church and will be missed by all that knew him.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra Brown; daughter Laura Greenawalt and husband Aaron; sons William "Dean" Brown and Glen Brown and wife Paula; grandchildren Dustin Greenawalt, Marissa Winters and husband Chris, Maranda Greenawalt, Macie Greenawalt, Chelsea Byrd and husband Cory, Nick Jones, Rick Miller and wife Lesley, Joey Brown and wife Alicia, and Billy Nevels; great grandchildren Laura, Veda, Mia, Willow, Avery, Joey, Yeshauas, Peyton, Brody, Kolton, Delaney and Payton; brother, Thomas Brown; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Kelly Ray Brown; two sisters Vonda Clark and Karma Breeden; and great granddaughter, Noble Jones.

Pallbearers were Aaron Greenawalt, Dustin Greenawalt, Chris Winters, Ricky Miller, Nick Jones and Cory Byrd. Honorary pallbearers were Chad Hines and Glen Brown.

You may leave an online message at www.gracemanorfh.com.