E.R. Kirkbride

E.R. Kirkbride, longtime Okmulgee resident, died Wednesday evening, April 16, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa at the age of 87. He was born February 19, 1921 in Arondale, Oklahoma to Emmons and Dora Marie (Clous) Kirkbride. He joined the United States Army, serving in the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. After landing on Normandy on D-Day he was captured and was a Prisoner of War for nine months. On November 13, 1945 he married Dorthie Louise Smith in Hominy. They moved their family to Okmulgee in 1962, where Mr. Kirkbride worked as the County Extension Director for O.S.U. In 1972 they relocated to Stilwell, where they remained until returning to Okmulgee in 1984. He loved gardening as well as fishing and hunting. As a young man, he enjoyed playing baseball. Mr. Kirkbride was an avid sports fan, especially the Dallas Cowboys and Oklahoma State. He was an active member of the First Christian Church of Okmulgee and the Christian Men’s Fellowship. He was also a member of the Okmulgee Lions Club, Muskogee Chapter of POW’s, NARF, and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Margaret and Louise and a brother, Carl. Survivors include his wife, Dorthie, three daughters, Becky Kirkbride of Okmulgee, Terresa Putnam and husband Bill of Midwest City, and Debbie Hulse and husband Doug of Grove, a brother, Dallas Kirkbride and wife Joyce of Sapulpa, two sisters, Edna Redfern and Irene Orbaugh, both of Tyler, Texas, three granddaughters, Lori Frazee and husband Woody of Moore, Tamara Clemens and husband Dave of Paola, Kansas, and Tara Fiddler of Frisco, Texas, two great granddaughters, Ashley and Olivia Clemens, great grandson, born on their 60^th wedding anniversary, Deacon Frazee, and a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 19, 2008 at the First Christian Church with Minister Charlie Green officiating. Committal services will be held 3:00 P.M. Saturday at the Albert Joseph Powell Memorial Cemetery in Hominy. Honorary Casketbearers will be Bill Putnam, Woody Frazee, Doug Hulse, Dave Clemens and Grady Kirkbride. Friends may visit the funeral home from 12-8 P.M. on Friday. Arrangements are under the direction of the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee. Online condolences may be sent at www.mcclendon-winters.com