Obituary for William Marlan Booker
William Marlan Booker was born to William Roscoe (Ross) and Lillian Richardson Booker on November 6, 1934, at Altus, OK, in the Dr’s office, one of eight children, and went to be with the Lord on July 15, 2019.
Raised in a farming family during the great depression and in the 1940s, Marlan learned to work at an early age. His children will always remember his stories of growing up and moving to a farm NW of Friendship, OK where he graduated high school and played baseball with a passion. One of the most memorable stories was when they lived at Headrick and Marlan went to town with his father, Ross, on horseback. Upon the return trip, the North Fork River had risen significantly and was running swiftly. Ross grabbed the horses tail and told Marlan, whatever happens, hold on to the horses tail and don't let go. There were many stories of the experience of growing up that his children will cherish as beautiful memories.
As a young man, Marlan worked for Jack Barnes Dairy delivering milk and ice cream in and around Altus, and later in Lawton for Gilt Edge Dairy and Meadow Gold Dairy. Going to work with dad was always fun, and all of his children will never forget getting up in the dark and heading out on the milk route, which in the early years included home delivery. The days were long, and the milk got heavy, but Dad always made work fun, and that was a crucial ingredient in developing a good work ethic in his children. Later he purchased a grocery store in Lawton and called it Ferris Foods where the education of his children continued, and each learned business knowledge that they still use today. He later would purchase Hop & Sack Convenience Store in Marlow which would grow into a chain of stores throughout southwest Oklahoma, and some are still owned by family members.
A life of hard work would bring the opportunity to buy the farm just across from where he was born in Jackson County, and retirement back to the farm life was a call that he could not resist. Dad loved living on the farm and taught his grandchildren their work ethic as he worked to make the whole farm look like a manicured yard. Not only did he teach a strong work ethic, but he also taught resilience and perseverance no matter what life threw at you.
He was a man that was known for his easy personality and was loved by all. He was the kind of man who would give his five stepchildren his name by adoption, giving not only his name but also himself. In 1995 he reconnected with a sweetheart from 40 years earlier and married Dana Sullivan in 1997 (who survives him). Marlan is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Norma Golightly Blanton, D. L. Booker, and LaVon Booker, one son, Andy Dene Booker, one grandson, William Marlan Booker, III.
He is survived by his spouse of the home, Dana Rae, Children and spouses, Gene (Ann) Booker of Chattanooga, Suzette (Steve) Eck of Cyril, Dorthy (Mike) Underwood of Lawton, Stanley (Paula) Booker of Lawton, William Marlan (Monty) Booker, Jr. (Kim) of Lawton, Steve (Shelli) Booker of Cyril, One daughter in law, Cathy Doerfler of Lawton, 20 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, and brothers Don Ray, Earl, Jimmy, and Kenneth, and a special cousin Clara Mae Richardson Smithers.
The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the staff of the Chateau of Lawton for the loving care that they have shown to Marlan and the family.
The Booker family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Lowell – Tims Funeral Home.
Funeral services are 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 19, 2019 at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home Chapel, Altus, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at Rogers Cemetery, Snyder, Oklahoma.
To sign the online guest book and share memories with the family please visit www.Lowell-Tims.com
Arrangements are under the direction of Lowell - Tims Funeral Home, Altus, Oklahoma.
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Raised in a farming family during the great depression and in the 1940s, Marlan learned to work at an early age. His children will always remember his stories of growing up and moving to a farm NW of Friendship, OK where he graduated high school and played baseball with a passion. One of the most memorable stories was when they lived at Headrick and Marlan went to town with his father, Ross, on horseback. Upon the return trip, the North Fork River had risen significantly and was running swiftly. Ross grabbed the horses tail and told Marlan, whatever happens, hold on to the horses tail and don't let go. There were many stories of the experience of growing up that his children will cherish as beautiful memories.
As a young man, Marlan worked for Jack Barnes Dairy delivering milk and ice cream in and around Altus, and later in Lawton for Gilt Edge Dairy and Meadow Gold Dairy. Going to work with dad was always fun, and all of his children will never forget getting up in the dark and heading out on the milk route, which in the early years included home delivery. The days were long, and the milk got heavy, but Dad always made work fun, and that was a crucial ingredient in developing a good work ethic in his children. Later he purchased a grocery store in Lawton and called it Ferris Foods where the education of his children continued, and each learned business knowledge that they still use today. He later would purchase Hop & Sack Convenience Store in Marlow which would grow into a chain of stores throughout southwest Oklahoma, and some are still owned by family members.
A life of hard work would bring the opportunity to buy the farm just across from where he was born in Jackson County, and retirement back to the farm life was a call that he could not resist. Dad loved living on the farm and taught his grandchildren their work ethic as he worked to make the whole farm look like a manicured yard. Not only did he teach a strong work ethic, but he also taught resilience and perseverance no matter what life threw at you.
He was a man that was known for his easy personality and was loved by all. He was the kind of man who would give his five stepchildren his name by adoption, giving not only his name but also himself. In 1995 he reconnected with a sweetheart from 40 years earlier and married Dana Sullivan in 1997 (who survives him). Marlan is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Norma Golightly Blanton, D. L. Booker, and LaVon Booker, one son, Andy Dene Booker, one grandson, William Marlan Booker, III.
He is survived by his spouse of the home, Dana Rae, Children and spouses, Gene (Ann) Booker of Chattanooga, Suzette (Steve) Eck of Cyril, Dorthy (Mike) Underwood of Lawton, Stanley (Paula) Booker of Lawton, William Marlan (Monty) Booker, Jr. (Kim) of Lawton, Steve (Shelli) Booker of Cyril, One daughter in law, Cathy Doerfler of Lawton, 20 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, and brothers Don Ray, Earl, Jimmy, and Kenneth, and a special cousin Clara Mae Richardson Smithers.
The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the staff of the Chateau of Lawton for the loving care that they have shown to Marlan and the family.
The Booker family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Lowell – Tims Funeral Home.
Funeral services are 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 19, 2019 at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home Chapel, Altus, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at Rogers Cemetery, Snyder, Oklahoma.
To sign the online guest book and share memories with the family please visit www.Lowell-Tims.com
Arrangements are under the direction of Lowell - Tims Funeral Home, Altus, Oklahoma.
To send flowers in memory of William Marlan Booker, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
18
Jul
6:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
Friday
19
Jul
11:00 AM
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
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