David_Self

David Self

David Whistler Self passed away Thursday, February 2, 2012 in Altus, Oklahoma.
He was born August 26, 1928 in Hugo, Oklahoma to Thomas Ross Self and
Nadine Clark Self, where he grew up attending Hugo Public Schools.

He attended school in Hugo until he left high school to serve in the US Army during
WWII. He served from Sept. 19, 1946 until March 30, 1948. After two months
as a Private in basic training, he was promoted to SGT for 15 months where he
was over the Military Policemen in occupied territory. He was in charge of
enforcing military laws, regulations, maintaining order and also handling traffic.
During this time he received the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of
Occupation Medal Japan.

Upon returning, he enlisted as Sergeant in CMP Reserve where he was allowed to
return to Hugo to resume his senior year of education from Hugo High School in
1949. While in Hugo he was always there for his large extended family of aunts,
uncles and cousins. On one occasion he drove his uncle and aunt to Blair, OK,
where they were to visit his aunt's sister, and met the love of his life and soul mate,
Wanda June Jones. They were married shortly after on December 18, 1949 and
they celebrated their 62nd anniversary this past December.

Wanda June Jones was the daughter of Russell Jones and Juanita (Jennings) Jones.
After David and Junes wedding, they moved to Hugo for a few months and then
came back to Blair where he was given the Manager position at the Blair Valley
Feed and Seed Store.

This was short lived for he was called back to active duty on October 20, 1950
where he went to fight in the Korean War. He served his country until he got an
Honorable Discharge on March 26, 1952. His job during his active duty time was
to be Sergeant over the Machine Gun Section. During this time, on Feb. 4, 1951,
he was wounded with a gunshot to the right arm and right chest in Chongu, Korea.
He was transferred to Tokyo, Japan to begin his recuperation period for 8 months.
While there he would dictate letters to be sent to his wife to make sure he stayed in
contact since he could not write them himself.

During the Korean War he received the Korean Service Medal, Bronze Service,
the Purple Heart, and the Chinese Communist Forces Intervention
Campaign-Combat Infantry Badge.

Upon returning to Blair, he was able to secure a job with the Oklahoma
Transportation Commission out of Oklahoma City where he worked with the
survey team. Their duties included surveying the land to build the highway to
Quartz Mountain State Park and the Lodge. There are many stories of his
encounters with snakes in the mountains during this job that his friends would bring
up and have a big laugh at.

He was able to land a job on March 9, 1954 with Altus Air Force Base where he
gave 40 amazing years of service. During his 40 years, he won Civilian First Level
Supervisor of the Quarter numerous times. He was supervisor of the Storage and
Issue Section, 443 Supply Squadron. He was held in high regards from his
supporters, peers and staff as someone they could always call and depend on. He
was quoted saying he saw Altus Air Force Base evolve from the reactivated
WWII Army Air Field with dirt streets and buildings without insulation to the
modern, ever improving Air Base it was when he retired and continues to be.

He was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Altus where he was
very proud of his commitment to the church and its growth. Upon joining, with his
wife, in November of 1953, he served in many capacities and worked hard to
secure the church's growth by serving on numerous committees. Some of them
were Council on Ministries, the Administrative Board, Men of Integrity, and the
Purpose Driven Leadership Board. He was an active member of the Fellowship
Sunday School Class and enjoyed being a part of the Ball Group where he served
as president, as well as being a member of numerous Bible study groups. He often
stood at the door where he was a Greeter to the many members and visitors that
came through the doors.

David was an active member of Elks Club and Altus Golf and Country Club
individually for many years and remained a member when they merged as one. He
enjoyed golfing and spending evenings with family and friends.

He was a proud member of his heritage, being a member of the Choctaw Indian
Tribe along with all of his family and felt, as did his father, that all of his
grandchildren should become members also.

Favorite things in life were spending time with his family and friends on holidays and
on group vacations and later in life spending and sharing time at the family cabin at
Lake Altus. He enjoyed sitting on the tip of the mountain on his deck greeting
everyone coming and going. He was proud of being very active in Altus All Sports
Association where he was selected as Coach of the Week and an active parent
supporter for That Altus Band. He took great pride in being a part of the
committee that helped to pick the best players at the Shortgrass Basketball
Tournament in Altus. He loved all sporting events.

He is preceded in death by his son, David Wayne Self and one brother-in-law,
Billy Holmes.

David is survived by his wife of the home; son, Ricky Dean Self of New York City,
who relocated home this past year to help aid in David's care; daughter-in-law,
Donna Wiginton Self of Altus, OK; granddaughter, Jennifer Janae Self Burrow and
husband Dustin and two great grandsons, Byke David Burrow and Racer Scott
Burrow all of Altus; sister, Rosetta Holmes of Roswell, NM; brother-in-law,
Tommy Dean Jones of Altus; and special friends, Nancy Tims of Altus and Bobbie
Lee Jones of Huntington Beach, CA. He was always proud of his nieces and
nephews, Kendall Holmes, Toby Holmes, Kim Jones Tanner, Wendy Jones, Jeff
Jones and Phillip Jones.

He had a great love for their dog, Chief Whistler and his Grand Dog, Lady
Charlemagne (Charlie).

Along with many cousins and friends he is survived by a very special lady, Lisa
Tinsley, who helped aid in his care and also the numerous special people at
Jackson County Home Care.

The family will receive guests on Sunday afternoon from 3:00 pm until 4:30 pm at
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.

Memorial services have been scheduled for 2:00 pm Monday, February 6, 2012 at
the First United Methodist Church with Reverend David Player and Johnney
Morrow officiating. Lowell-Tims Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to The United Methodist Church Altus, Oklahoma.

On-line tributes can be made to the family at www.lowell-tims.com