Carl M. Cumpton

WILSON - A celebration of the life of Carl Marion Cumpton, 87, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 25, 2010, at the First Baptist Church in Wilson, Oklahoma. Officiating will be Sherry Kendrick, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Wilson. Interment will be at Hewitt Cemetery.

Born to Carl and Jewell Jacobs Cumpton, August 23, 1923 in Talihina, Oklahoma, Carl departed this life on Tuesday, September 21, 2010. Since 1929 Wilson had been home to Carl except during his high school years when his parents were transferred to Cowden, Illinois. Even though he graduated from Cowden High School he always felt a part of the 1942 class of Wilson High.

Carl returned to Wilson after graduating and later that same year began training on IBM machines at the Oklahoma Tax Commission in Oklahoma City. He was soon transferred to the DuPont Powder Plant in Pryor, Oklahoma working on IBM equipment and was later transferred to Tinker Field in Oklahoma City. Subsequently he entered the U. S. Army. Most of Carl's service time was spent operating IBM equipment at Raritan Arsenal in Metuchen, New Jersey; he was honorably discharged in early 1946 and returned to Wilson.

On July 11, 1946, Carl married his lifelong friend and sweetheart, Anna Lois Clark, in the First Baptist Church in Wilson. Soon thereafter they built the home they have shared for sixty-four years. At about that same time Carl and his father-in-law, Les Clark, built and established the Cumpton and Clark Dry Goods store on Main Street in Wilson. After working for Interstate Oil Pipe Line Company for nine years, Cities Service for fifteen years and Conoco for sixteen years, Carl retired in 1985.

At Carl's 87th birthday celebration a few weeks ago, he stated that no matter what he was doing, there were always two people with him -- his wife, Anna, and God. He has taken them into any project he has undertaken, and he has undertaken many. He has served on the Administrative Council of the First United Methodist Church of Wilson; the Wilson City Council serving as Mayor for two terms, and has served in various capacities on the Wilson School Board, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, American Legion, Hardy House, the Wilson Historical Society and Museum, the McCrory Foundation Board, Chickasaw Library Board, Greater Ardmore Scholarship Foundation Board, SORC Board, Senior Citizens Social Service Foundation Board, Carter County Ambulance Board, Healdton Mercy Memorial Hospital Board and SODA Board. He was instrumental in the building of the Senior Citizens Center, the Library, the Museum, the DOC building, and the Red River Bridge. For his dedicated service to the many organizations of which he has been a part, he has received many accolades and has been presented with numerous plaques and citations honoring his outstanding and tenacious service.

In addition Carl has been an active Boy Scout since the age of twelve serving as Cubmaster and Scoutmaster, and has held many positions throughout the Arbuckle Council as well as assisting at Camp Simpson since its founding. It was through Carl's efforts that a new Scout Hall was built in Wilson. In February of this year he was honored by the Arbuckle Area Council for his seventy-five years in scouting by being named the Scout Volunteer of the Century.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Carl, Sr., March 16, 1966 and Jewell, September 1, 1986, his sister, Regina Gandy, October 2, 2004, and daughter-in-law, Linda Cumpton, October 13, 2000. He is survived by his loving wife, Anna; and two sons, Jim of Ardmore, and Larry and his wife, Deonna, of Parkville, Missouri. He is also survived by a granddaughter, Lauryn Cumpton of Parkville, Missouri; three grandsons, their wives and children: John and Stephanie Cumpton, Carlie and Jackson of Houston, Texas; Jason and Stacy Cumpton, Jacob and Caleb of Edmond, Oklahoma; Phillip and Denisha Cumpton, Hunter, Leah, and Anthony of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Other survivors include a brother-in-law, G. C. Roberts, Ardmore, and several nieces and nephews, George and Carole Gandy Pinches, Ardmore; Mark and Peggy Roberts, Western Springs, Illinois; Gary and Kathy Roberts of The Woodlands, Texas, and Jeff and Dana Roberts of Midland, Texas. Carl is also survived by cousins, Jim Jacobs, Altus, Arkansas; Billie Jon Williams and Faith Akin, both of Claremore; several great-nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends.

Bearers will be Bob Crittendon, Gary Claxton, Jack Glazener, Mike Hisey, Jerry Mashore, Brett Matherly, A. C. Overby and Kevin Stinson. Honorary bearers are the members of the Wilson Rotary Club.

For those wishing to memorialize Carl, donations may be made to the First Methodist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 235, Wilson, Oklahoma 73463 or the Wilson Historical Museum, 1270 8th Street, Wilson, Oklahoma 73463.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home Thursday evening, September 23, 2010 from 6 to 8 p. m. at the Funeral Home. Alexander Funeral Home in Wilson is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org