February 3, 2021 Issue, Page 2 of 10

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News/Obits February 3, 2021 are also such eloquent bodies of throughout his life. Franklin to actually dress up like one of Greteman explained. “I try to have adapted it along the way. the Founders than to just give “For example, like most of be as authentic as possible from It is a lot of fun for me to do, work. Franklin was a true mas- ter of the language. He was an them, he started life as a loy- the dress to the details of his life but that is how you want it to a lecture upon one of them,” Continued from page 1. author, a printer, a farmer and alists to Britain. During the and how that worked in concert Greteman said. “I started going aspired to be an expert in all French and Indian War, he was sometimes with and sometimes be. Our American origins are through all of them and first vigorous dedication to educa- thought of who I could be bring that he endeavored, But above very much on the side of Brit- against the other Founders. It such a wild, unpredictable tale tion continued long after his 29 to life. George Washington was all, he was an inventor. There ain. However, it was after that is important for us to know our far richer than any brilliant au- year tenure in Oklahoma's pub- far too aristocratic and stately are so many things that Frank- when the Brits put a heavy tax history. You cannot know where lic schools ended. From there, for me. Adams was a short man. lin either invented or discovered on the colonies to help pay for you are going if you do not know thor could dream up and Frank- he was elected to the Western I started looking at myself and that we continue to use to this that war's debt did they become where you have been. I started lin was among one of the most Technology Center's Board of thought, ‘Well, heck, you kinda day and likely don’t even give first disenchanted and then en- doing this several years ago to complex of those characters. I Education, a position he contin- look like ole Ben.” thought that he paved the way. raged at this taxation without help teach that. I have probably ues to hold to this day. Greteman then submerged He was tall man at 6 foot or representation. From there, done about 25 performances. hope that people come down or However, in Greteman's re- himself in all things Ben Frank- taller, He aspired to have good it grew to a burning desire for It has been presented to small tune to help keep this important peated readings of the Founding lin, He read his autobiography health and was a teetotaler on self-governance and a new form groups to full auditoriums. I man remembered as our Ameri- Father's own literary works, the multiple times, which he con- alcohol and other vices except of government not dictated by have done small fifteen min- can story still continues to de- teacher realized that he could tinues to regularly do. With each for one. His only indulgence was birthright,” Greteman said. ute performances for elemen- further plant the seeds of curi- read, he absorbs something new. with women. He of course was Greteman’s presentation cov- tary students to longer for high velop. It is more important now osity for living Americans of all He found as many biographies rumored to have many illegiti- ers many of Franklin's price- school students and adults. I than ever.” ages. and documentaries as he could. mate children, but I believe that less contributions to American “As someone who loves litera~ history ranging from his am- most of those were likely just From there, Greteman’s per- sonification of Benjamin Frank- rumors. More than anything, I bassadorship to France to his ture, it doesn’t get much better Linda Ballew lin was born. think Franklin enjoyed female ground-breaking _ philosophies than Franklin. Ben helped write “Being an old drama stu- companionship and the enlight- on a government by the people, the Declaration of Indepen- Linda Kay (Long) Ballew riding her horse Mickey. She dent and teacher, I thought it dence, the Constitution and the ened conversations he held with for the people. was born February 25th, also enjoyed cooking, church would make it more interesting Paris Peace Treaty. Not only are women,” Greteman opinioned. “I started out renting my 1949 in Pampa, Texas to Vio- work, attending her Ladies those works so fundamental to Greteman noted that, like his costume from a store in Elk let Juanita (Cooper) and RL. Bible study and playing Domi- our American history, literally fellow Founding Fathers, Frank- City, but I have since assembled “Shorty” Long. She passed noes with “the girls”. laying the foundation, but they lin evolved on various issues pieces I have found on eBay,” Round away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, January 27th, She is preceded in death by her parents and one son, Phil- that he grazes on his home 2021 at the age of 71 years, 11 lip George Ballew. Brown be much safer than back in the months and 2 days. Linda is survived by her hus- Town place there close to the water treatment plant. good ole days, so I am not able to take my kids out to the plant Linda grew up in Pampa, band of 48 years, Jim, of the Feb 12 “Oh, I'm a terrible farmer,” to work beside me like I was able Texas where she attended home; one son, Jeffrey Harris “Valentine's Day Make and Brown gleefully laughed. “But towith my dad. But, they stop in grade school and also high and wife, Becky, Pampa, TX; Take” all day and supplies Continued from page 1. Ilike doing it. It was something to see me sometimes. ‘They like school. She met Jim Ballew two step-children, Charles ee ‘Carnegie Youth Li- else I did with my dad and now visiting ole Dad. They are with in Pampa and they were later Ballew, Mesa, AZ, and Shelly was the city manager, he my kids do it with me.” me when I drive by. I may not came out here one day when I Brown has been married for stop in there every single time, married on September 8th, Oliver, Broken Bow, OK; 6 was helping. Dad had me in the nearly eleven years to his wife but I drive several times during 1972. After their marriage, grandchildren, Eric, Jennifer, February 13 backhoe helping him. I might Janna. Together they share two the weekend. We also help the Linda and Jim made their Chris, Marquetta, Vera and Southwest Rustic Mar- have been about 10. Bois didn’t children — son Levi, who is city some with reading meters home in Pampa where they Carrie; ket, Convention Center 6-years-old, and daughter Lilly, or whatever they need. If a wa- realize it was me and asked who raised four children. She loved one sister, Karen Kelley and was running the machine. Dad who is 8-years-old. ter main breaks, it is pretty well being a mother and homemak- husband, Joe and a multitude said, ‘Oh, that’s just Johnny’ In his spare time, Brown en- all hands on deck. But, the other et to all of her children as well of friends and family. February 14 Bois shook his head and said, joys hunting, fishing and trips city departments do the same as gardening and almost any Graveside services will be Valentine’s Day ‘Tm gonna get out of here so I with his family. with us. Every single depart- activity outdoors including held Tuesday, February 2nd, can say I didn’t see anything’ “T have been to Canada to ment has great employees who It was a different time then and hunt bear. I have been to Colo- are dedicated to their jobs and fishing and water skiing. 2021 at Texola Cemetery at Southwest Rustic Mar- kids were put to work. I mean, rado to hunt elk. I have gone to the city working” Linda attended Pampa Col- 2:00 PM. officiated by Broth- ket, Convention Center I loved doing it and I am glad I Kansas to hunt pheasants. Then Because of Brown’s unique lege of Hairdressing and er Ron Goodnight. Arrange- got to be around for that stuff. I of course I love all the normal connections to nearly eight de- worked outside the home for ments are under the direction February 20 learned responsibility and safe- Oklahoma stuff like whitetail cades of the city’s water treat- period of time. After their of Chris Whinery and the staff ty at a young age and got to do deer, quail and coyotes.” ment plant through his grand- retirement, Linda and Jim of Affordable Cremation Ser- ith Annual Father/ that while I spent a lot of time theBrown shares responsibility at plant with his two full-time with my dad,” Brown explained. employees. father's and father's service in moved to Oklahoma where vice-West. Condolences can Daughter dance, Hearts Come rain or shine, the same position, he is basically she enjoyed working outdoors be made online at www.clas- for Hearing Fundraiser, In fact, Brown looked espe- a historian of the plant's evolu- Convention Center. cially forward to days when new night or day, the crew eagerly answers the call when needed. tion. He has watched how im- in her garden, flower beds and sicfunerals.com water wells were drilled. “Science was my favorite class plementing cutting edge tech- “I would talk Dad into letting in school,” Brown stated. “I liked nology has changed the field. February 26 me skip school because I didn’t math, too, and I can tell you now However, the goal is still the same — assuring the citizens of Bobby Felton Elk Creek Strutters want to miss out on Miss Pearl's that I use it every day. Water is Elk City have clean and reliable lunches. The wells were drilled in need. Whether the need was Hunting Heritage Ban- just fascinating to me. There is water, both in the present and physical, financial, or spiritual, with F&H Drilling, which was nothing on earth that doesn't the future. quet, Convention Center owned by Fount Hutchinson. have water in it. Not only does “When my grandpa started, Bob endeavored to always put His wife was Miss Pearl and, it make up most of our planet there were just a few wells,” the needs of others ahead of April 1 man, could she cook the best and most of our bodies, people Brown said. “When my dad his own. He and Jo Ann en- food. I couldn’t wait to see what would be amazed at how much started in 1966, Elk City had couraged, and over the years, Shop Hop, participat- she had made. But, it was also water goes into making things like 16 water wells and maybe financially supported several ing businesses open late just really cool watching the wells being drilled. I have lit- like their car. It takes water to five to six hundred acres of wa- young men through the Mem- utnil 7 p.m. run it, but water is also needed ter rights. When he passed away, phis and Brown Trail Schools erally seen dinosaur bones be for everything from the paint we had 67 wells and 7,000 acres. brought out of the holes. It has of Preaching, and they sup- April 3 to the parts. I find the water ‘The technology even from then ported mission work in various always amazed me how one area tables fascinating, so really it is amazing. Elk City has water Chamber of Com- of the foundation can have no doesn’t feel like going to work. I rights all over the county. The places around the world in- merce Annual Easter water and then just right there leadership has been very proac- am lucky to not have a job that I cluding traveling to help sup- Egg Hunt. by it there is a ton,” Brown said.dread. I grew up doing this with tive in making sure that the city Bobby (Bob) Joe Felton was port and encourage missionar- In addition to helping his fa- my dad, so it is all just natu- will have water forgenerations.” born in the family home in ies doing God's work in Brazil. ther with the water treatment ral to me. We of course have to Bob attended and served as an Carter, OK February 9, 1931 April 10 plant, Brown, in his youth, was Elder in the Lord's Church at Annual Southwest a team roper until 2008. and died in his home in Elk Farm & Home Expo and “[just started throwing a rope around when I was a kid and it Allan Piercy City, OK January 27, 2021 at 2nd and Adams in Elk City for’ the age of 89 years, 11 months, many years. Bull Sale, Convention stuck,” Brown recounted. “Our career with Halliburton ended and 18 days. He enjoyed ranching, wood- Center. neighbors were ropers and had in retirement when they shut Bob was raised in and at- working and welding, and an arena and all that. I went to down the yard in Burns Flat. tended high school in Carter, when he wasn’t at the farm, the High School Rodeo Finals In 2017 he was diagnosed with OK before going on to com- he could often be found in his April 11 in 1994 and ‘95. They really colon cancer, but this never plete his bachelor’s degree shop creating unique works Annual Southwest encouraged me. Then I have to influenced his adventurous from Abilene Christian Col- of art. His welding art fills mention Charles Silk. Later on the plant beds at their home Farm & Home Expo and asa young adult, he and I roped spirit. Allan enjoyed hunting, lege, and his Smith Hughes Bull Sale, Convention together all the time. [learned a fishing, watching westerns and Degree in Agriculture from with flowers that bloom year Center. whole lot from him — a whole traveling to Colorado to hunt Oklahoma State University. around, and his many unique lot of horsemanship. I loved with his friends. He taught Agriculture in high bird houses can be seen at a Due to the COVID-19 going and doing it, but about He is preceded in death by schools in Pueblo, CO, Coop- number of homes around town pandemic, many events 2008, I knew it was time to give his father; his grandparents; erton, OK, and Merritt High and elsewhere. Bob also craft- it up. It just got to be too hard one niece, Tresa Wilhelm and School. He was active in FFA ed many beautiful wood intar- have been cancelled, to be gone to team ropings all Allan Dean Piercy was born one nephew Zackary Pipes. and the taxidermy owl made sia pieces that will be enjoyed post-poned or modi- weekend and be getting in just April 15th, 1961 in Elk City, Allanis survived by his wife, by one of his students and pre- by many for years to come. Sied. Please check with as work was starting at the plant on Monday. I loved them both, Oklahoma to Dyanne Kay Rebecca Sue, of the home; 3 sented to him for serving as Bob is survived by his lov- the event coordinator but one more than the other.” (Gunter) and Loise Dewayne children, Sheena Piercy and fi- the local FFA Chapter Advisor, ing wife of 68 years Jo Ann, to make sure of any Brown now fills that extra Piercy. He passed away Thurs- ance, Daniel Lundy, Cordell, while teaching at Merritt, still also of Carter, OK, Daughter changes. time taking care of his cattle day, January 28th, 2021 at his OK, Alisha Piercy and fiance’, keeps watch perched on the Vee and husband Gerry Fields Codei Davenport, Oklahoma stone wall overlooking their of Elk City, Daughter-in-law home north of Canute, Okla- City, OK and Dana Piercy, living room. His love for ag- Vernetta Felton of Elk City, "ElkCituNews homa at the age of 59 years, 9 months and 13 days. Canute, OK; 5 grandchildren, riculture and teaching inspired grandchildren Mitchell Arm- Zackary, Carter and Eden several of his students to also strong of Elizabeth City, NC, Allan grew up in the Canute Dobbs, Josephine and Haley pursue agricultural teaching Von and wife Sara of Edmond, and Burns Flat area and at- Davenport; mother, Dyanne careers, and most have kept OK, Corbin and husband Cole tended school in Burns Flat. Thompson and husband, Joe, in touch with Bob through Miller of Edmond, OK, Joshua (USPS # 173-020) During his time in school he Burns Flat, OK; 3 siblings, the years. After teaching high Fields of Grand Prairie, TX, was active in FFA where he 580-225-3000 Stephanie Piercy, Burns Flat, school, Bob ranched and Shana Vela of Grand Prairie, raised and showed pigs and Justin. Thompson, Lubbock, worked as an insurance agent TX, and great grandchildren Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC made many projects in wood TX and Joey Thompson and where he earned numerous Camdyn Miller, Vincent Fel- 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 and metal shop. After his high wife, April, Guthrie, OK and a awards, including Salesman of ton, Axell Armstrong, Stormi Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 school graduation in 1979, he host of nieces, nephews, other| the Month, Top Producer, Best and Ariana Vela, and Mykah was hired the next day at Hal- relatives and friends. All Around Agent of the Year, Dallas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644 liburton as a diesel mechanic. Visitation will be held Tues- and Leading Producer of the He was preceded in death by Josh Umholtz He continued with Halliburton day, February 2, 2021 at Af- Month; several of which were his parents Claud and Elfreda SUBSCRIPTIONS and was tasked with every- fordable Cremation Service- awarded multiple times. Felton, sisters Juanita Thom- Publisher thing from washing the trucks Deliverd by mail: West from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 Bob, first and foremost, was as, Mildred Forgay, Blanche $75/yearly Amy Loynd to shop foreman. On October PM. Memorial services will a faithful servant of God. Ev- McLerran, brother Tom Fel- $50/six months Business Manager 27, 1989 he was married to be held at a later date. Ar- erything he did, he did so with ton, and son Dan Felton. No refunds on subscriptions. Neva Pyatt Rebecca Sue Piercy in Elk rangements are under the di- God’s word as his guide. He In lieu of flowers the family Advertising Director City, Oklahoma. They made rection of Chris Whinery and was always on the lookout requests donations be made to editor @ecdailynews.com D’Ann Brasuell their home in Elk City and the staff of Affordable Crema- for opportunities to study the Memphis School of Preaching, sports @ecdailynews.com Production Manager later moved north of Canute tion Service-West. Condolenc- Bible with anyone interested 3950 Forest Hill-Irene Road, [email protected] Maressa Margerum where they raised their fam- es can be made online at www. and never passed on an occa- Memphis TN 38125, (901) classifieds @ecdailynews.com Customer Service Rep ily and farmed. Allan’s 35 year classicfunerals.com sion to help a person or family 751-2242.