Charles Oscar Toothman

Charles Oscar Toothman was born November 18, 1934 in Prue, Oklahoma. He was the son of Carl Morris and Opal Sylvia (Ernest) Toothman. Charles was raised and attended school in Prue, graduating from Prue High School in 1954. Shortly after graduation, Charles moved to California where he worked in the vegetable fields in the lettuce shed for a short time and then attended welding school. He enlisted into the service of his country in 1956 and served honorably for nearly nine years in the United States Air Force as an aircraft electrician. He was honorably discharged in 1965 and returned to Prue. After his discharge, Charles worked as a laborer in the Prue area before accepting employment as an electrician at Armco Steel in Sand Springs in 1965. He continued to work as an electrician at the plant as it became Sheffield Steel and then later Gerdau Ameristeel; retiring in 1996. For a few years, Charles owned and operated his own drilling rig; where he taught his children the meaning of lefty loosie, righty tighty. Charles was married to Oleta Reese on September 3, 1977. The couple has continued to make their home in Prue for the past thirty-seven years. Charles loved to garden and was known as the ìTomato Man of Prue.î He had a particular way of planting successful tomatoes and was convinced his was the only way. He loved fishing, especially for crappie and catfish. In his younger days, he was an avid quail hunter and was known to leave a prize hunting dog in the field if he did not perform as required. He was described by his family and friends as a funny and caring husband, father and grandfather who could be a tad bit or in fact quite ornery. Charles seemed to have a nickname for everyone and was known himself as Bald Oskie. He enjoyed watching sports on television and was an avid Oklahoma University Sooner fan. He loved babies but babies didnít seem to reciprocate as his beard seemed to be a little scratchy. He could often be quoted when people came into the room with, ìWell Lookie There.î His friendly and caring attitude revealed a man that would do anything for anyone. He was also described as a great cook but didnít seem to clean up the kitchen to well. Charles once tried to become a quick draw artist but after shooting himself gave up the hobby rather quickly. Charles passed from this life on Friday, July 11, 2014 at the St. John Medical Center in Tulsa at the age of seventy-nine. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Opal Toothman; a stepson Glenn; brother, Richard Carl Toothman and a sister, Luddie Bell. Charles is survived by his wife, Oleta Toothman of the home; two sons, Carl Ray Toothman of Skiatook, Oklahoma, and Tony Toothman of Corpus, Christi, Texas; two daughters, Karen and her husband Lonnie Froese of Chouteau, Oklahoma; stepdaughter Jeannie Toothman of Prue, Oklahoma; daughter Lisa and her husband, Todd Weldon of Cleveland, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Amanda Fitzgerald, Bubba Toothman, Ashley Toothman, Sheree' Toothman, Stepahnie Adams, Samantha DeBoer, Caleb Toothman, Todd Alan Weldon, and Ryan Weldon; thirteen great-grandchildren, and three siblings, Billy Toothman of Prue, Oklahoma, Wanda Gaye Goodman of Prue, Oklahoma and Bobby Ernest of Prue, Oklahoma Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at the First Baptist in Prue with Rev. Garry McDevitt and Dev Brill officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Prue, Building Fund. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at www.chapman-black.com. Interment will be at the Prairie View Cemetery in Prue under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.