Obit for Wootten Jr., John Belton "Jack" - Grady County OK

Thanks to http://www.chickashanews.com/ for permission to upload their
obits to the USGenWeb Archives. © The Chickasha Express-Star   05 Nov 2006
Return to Grady County Archives:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/grady/grady.html
==========================================================================
                             USGENWEB NOTICE
                     Copyright.  All rights reserved.
             http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
==========================================================================
::Rose Hill Cemetery--Chickasha OK

© The Chickasha Express-Star Sunday, 5 March 2006

John Belton "Jack" Wootten, Jr.

John Belton Wootten, Jr. ["Jack"], age 70, died peacefully in his sleep on 
Saturday, May 13, 2006.

Born on August 21, 1935 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Jack was the first child 
born to John Belton Wootten and Marion Louise Bassett. His young childhood 
was spent in Chickasha. At age seven, the family moved to Clayton, New 
Mexico. It was there, on the JE Ranch, that Jack grew up, riding horses 
and running cattle. The family was active in Clayton's United Methodist 
Church. Jack enjoyed playing football during his high school years and 
graduated from Clayton High School in 1953.

Jack enrolled at New Mexico A&M, now New Mexico State University, in 1953. 
He pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He graduated in 1958 as one of 
the first graduates of New Mexico A&M's new Agricultural Economics 
program.

Following six months of active Army service, he began his career at the 
Oklahoma National Bank in Chickasha. He served ONB until 1977 when he left 
to start his own businesses, Chickasha Fuel Supply and Phoenix 
Investments, Inc. He served on the ONB Board of Directors for over 20 
years.

In December, 1959, Jack met Catherine Bond of Chickasha. They were married 
on August 13, 1960 at Epworth United Methodist Church. Two daughters were 
born to them, Susan and Anne.

Jack served his country in the Army Reserves, attaining the rank of 
Captain.

Jack joined First Baptist Church, Chickasha, in 1976 and was a regular 
member there until his death.

In 1996, Scott and Anne Wootten Richey joined Jack in founding the JE 
Ranch Foundation. The foundation's mission is to conserve wildlife 
habitats interspersed with responsible agricultural practices and the 
education and support of youth and families.

Jack's main focus was his business and his family. He was a successful 
businessman, well-known for his acumen in investments, especially in the 
oil and gas world. Additionally, he helped many people by providing loans 
to help them achieve their goals.

Jack's twinkling blue eyes and mischievous laughter were quick to belie a 
sense of humor. He was a committed husband; Jack and Catherine celebrated 
their 45th wedding anniversary last August. He enjoyed the lives and 
accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

He was a loving son and placed great importance on family. He was 
committed to excellence and pushed others to succeed as well.

He will be missed by those who survive him which included: Catherine Bond 
Wootten, his wife of 45 years; daughters and sons-in-law, Susan Wootten 
Perdue and U.S. Navy Capt. Philip Perdue of Derwood, MD, and Catherine 
Anne Wooten Richey and R. Scott Richey of Blanchard; grandchildren 
Caitlin, Christopher, and Meghan Perdue, and Clay and John Michael Richey; 
brothers and sisters-in-law William "Bill" and Kathy Wootten of Lamar, 
Colorado, and Thomas H. and Eleanor Wootten of Gila, New Mexico; sister 
and brother-in-law Myron and Janice Wootten Bond of Dallas, Texas; and 
many special nieces and nephews.

There will be a viewing from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 at Sevier Funeral 
Home, Chickasha.

Funeral services will br held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17 at the First 
Baptist Church, Chickasha.

Private graveside services will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery following 
the service.

In liew of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to 
JE Ranch Foundation, P.O. Box 342, Blanchard, OK 73010 or First Baptist 
Church of Chickasha, 324 W. Colorado, Chickasha, OK 73018.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return to Grady County Archives:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/grady/grady.html