L. Earl Wilkie

L. Earl Wilkie, 87, Blair, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2012 at the Clinton Veteran’s Center, Clinton, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2012 at the Blair United Methodist Church with Rev. Bruce Davis officiating. Cremation will follow services under the direction of the Kincannon Funeral Home. The Wilkie Family will greet friends Wednesday evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Kincannon Funeral Home. Earl Wilkie was born on May 5, 1924 in Dawson Springs, Kentucky to Lonnie Houston and Minnie D. (Morris) Wilkie. He graduated from Waukegan High School, Waukegan, Illinois in May of 1942. He entered the United States Navy during WWII in December of 1942 and served in the Pacific Theater. He attained the rank of Seaman First Class and was honorably discharged in February 1946. Every ship Mr. Wilkie was on during the war eventually sank and he rescued a parrot during one of the incidents (see family for details). Earl married Alcy Zinn on September 4, 1946 at the Blair Methodist Church. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1952 with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration Degree from Oklahoma City University and was a member of the Blue Key Honor Society. The Wilkie’s moved to Houston, Texas in 1958 when Earl began work for the Teneco Oil Company, later transferring to Denver, Colorado. The Wilkie’s moved back to Blair in 1973 where Earl was self-employed as a heating and air conditioning contractor until his retirement in 2001. He was a long time member of the Blair United Methodist Church, where he served as the young adult Sunday School teacher. He was a lay minister; donated to the Salvation Army; was a ham radio operator; a Bible Prophecy student. He also relaxed by listening to classical music while watching birds outside his den window. He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, April Star Burdick, three brothers, William, John and Lonnie Wilkie, Jr., and daughter-in-law, Charla Wilkie. He is survived by his wife, Alcy, of the home; a daughter, Debra Burdick and husband, Bradley, of Weatherford, OK; two sons, Mark Wilkie of Westminster, CO, and Benny Wilkie and wife, Paula, of Sapulpa, OK; a sister, Martha Oakes and husband, Jim, of Lakewood, CO; seven grandchildren, Mandy Hobbs and husband, Chad, of Greenwood, IN, Joseph Callan Wilkie and wife, Shanna, of Sapulpa, OK, Adam Wilkie of Denver, CO, Jason Wilkie and wife, Linda, of San Diego, CA, Melissa Nicole Cumby and husband, Jay, of Oklahoma City, OK, Athena Charlene Burdick of Waco, TX, and Jade Burdick and wife, Melissa, of Haskell, OK; twenty three great- grandchildren, Faith, Alexis, and Samantha Lee, McCallen, Landon, Cayden, and Kalli Hobbs, Haylee, Rylan, and Haylynn Wilkie, Rowdy and Raice Speaks, Joshua, Eris, and Axle Von Wilkie, Vincent, Maria and Andrea Mae, Joshua and Kadence Cumby, and Shailynn, Matthew, and Zachary Burdick; and several nieces, nephews and lots of friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the Blair United Methodist Church, 300 E. Main, Blair, Oklahoma 73526 or the charity of your choice. http://youtu.be/5nwS2KLRnBI