Arlis Dewey Whitecotton

Arlis Dewey Whitecotton was born July 21, 1934 in Creek County, Oklahoma the son of Marl Dewey and Lillie Mae Whitecotton. He was raised in his early life in Creek County and then moved with his family to Borger, Texas; later moving to Paden, Oklahoma where he attended high school.

Upon completion of his education, Arlis entered into the service of his country in the United States Marine Corp on February 19, 1953. He served during the Korean Conflict where he was awarded the National Defense Medal and then honorably discharged on February 18, 1956. He then returned to Oklahoma and worked in numerous capacities before accepting employment in the oilfields.

After his marriage to Joyce Cooper on September 26, 1960 the couple established their home in Colorado. Arlis then accepted employment for Climax Molybedenum as a miner and timber hanger. He worked in the mine for several years before receiving his medical retirement in 1974. The couple then moved to New Mexico where together they opened A and R Outfitters, a big game hunting guide service which was committed to the protection of our national resources and to the perpetuation of the sport of hunting. Arlis provided guide service and horses for hunts of deer, elk, mountain lion and bear.

The couple purchased property near Osage, Oklahoma in 1978 in order to be closer to family and be near Keystone Lake. Arlis loved to spend time with his family, especially with his grandchildren and was always ready to go fishing at a moments notice. They continued to spend time in New Mexico during the hunting season and returning to Osage in the off-season until their retirement from the guide business in 1999.

Arlis was a member of the First Baptist Church in Osage and enjoyed sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those around him and was always excited when someone around him accepted the Lord as their personal Savior. His faith was evident in his love for all those around him and he especially liked spending time with his church family. He was often heard saying, I'm one guy that enjoyed living. His enduring faith and commitment to living provided him with the will to continue through many medical illnesses and hardships during the past several years. Arlis went on to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at the St John Medical Center in Tulsa at the age of seventy-one years, ten months and three days. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, June Jones.

Arlis is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Joyce Whitecotton of the home; five children, Debra and her husband, Abe Presa, Enid, Oklahoma, Randy and his wife, Cyndi Slover of Westmoreland, Kansas, Barbara and her husband, Mike Morris, Chelsea, Oklahoma, Arlis Michael Whitecotton, Osage, Oklahoma and Cindy and her husband, Neil Good, Cleveland, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren, Adam Peterson, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Brian Peterson, Osage, Oklahoma, Mindy Slover, Blaine, Kansas, Amber Slover, Lenexa, Kansas, Brandi Smith, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Brandon Morris, Chelsea, Oklahoma, Jamie Whitecotton, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Andrea, Arlisa, and Tanner Good, all of Cleveland, Oklahoma; ten great grandchildren; sister, Louise Buckley, Sequin, Texas; and brother, Raymond Whitecotton, Chandler, Oklahoma; other family and many lifelong friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, May 29, 2006 at the First Baptist Church in Osage with Rev. Dean Switzer officiating. Burial will be at the Osage Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers will be Adam Peterson, Brian Peterson, Brandon Morris, Leon Stokes, John Peek and Andrew Witte; honorary pallbearers are Tanner Good, Chuck Witte and Justin Smith.

Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Arlis D. Whitecotton at www.chapman-black.com.