John R. Edgerton

John R. Edgerton, lifelong Cleveland resident, passed away at his home in Cleveland on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 at the age of seventy-three years, nine months and five days.

John was born April 15, 1930 in Cleveland, Oklahoma; the son of James Russell and Martha G. Edgerton. He was raised and attended school in Cleveland, After completion of his junior year in high school, John was inducted into the service of his country in the United States Navy in June 1947. Upon his honorable discharge in March of 1950, John returned to Cleveland and began his senior years in September.

During his senior year in high school, John was active in football, basketball and track. Additionally, he started his career with Southwestern Bell while attending high school. He was married to Donna l. Teter on March 3, 1951 and then graduated from Cleveland High School in May.

The couple have made their home in Cleveland throughout their marriage, raising three children, Gary, Donnie and Jonna. John worked as a repairman and installer for Southwestern Bell Telephone until the Bell divestiture and then continued to work for AT &T until he retired after a total of thirty-five years of service. After his retirement, he continued to work as a contract telephone repairman for Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville for nearly five years. He then continued to work locally for anyone in need of telephone installation or repair and often worked closely with his son, Gary.

John loved watching sports especially when his sons, Gary and Donnie played football; and when his daughter, Jonna played basketball. He also enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren. Additionally, he was proud of his yard and always kept it immaculate. He instilled this love for yard work in all three of his children. John was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and the Communication Workers of America. John continued to remain active doing small telephone repair jobs, working in his yard, spending time with his children and grandchildren until for health reasons remained homebound.

John is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Donna of the home; two sons and their wives, Gary R. and Sandra Edgerton of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Donnie L. and Pamela Edgerton of McAlester, Oklahoma; daughter and her husband, Jonna and Dale Garrett of Stillwater, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren, Joe R. Edgerton of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Don Lee Edgerton of McAlester, Oklahoma, Renee Hussey of Owasso, Oklahoma, Mike Edgerton of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Brad Edgerton of McAlester, Oklahoma, Matt Edgerton of McAlester, Jon Garrett, Chris Garrett, Kevin Garrett and Dalton Garrett, all of Stillwater, Oklahoma; brother, Paul G. Edgerton of Houston, Texas; sister, Mary Jane Frey of Lafayette, Louisiana; other daughter, Amy Nation and his caregiver, Tonya Hall of Cleveland, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, David Glen Edgerton.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, January 22, 2004 at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland with Rev. George Boston and Dr. Larry Wilson officiating. Musical selections were provided by Deana Ferguson and Kim Brady. Burial was at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

Visit an online obituary, video tribute and guestbook for John Edgerton at www.chapman-black.com.