Leo B. Mcmakin

Leo B. McMakin

Goodwell, Oklahoma - Leo B. McMakin, 85, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, April 13th, 2008 in Memorial Hospital of Texas County.

He was born in Davis, Oklahoma to Leo Johnathan and Margaret Jane (Ferguson) McMakin on November 17, 1922. He graduated from high school in Norman, Oklahoma and earned two degrees from the University of Oklahoma. He was a World War II Veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy. Leo served in the Pacific Theater as a 1st Class Radarman on the AK Cargo Hercules and the Destroyer Escort USS Woodworth.

After the War, Mr. McMakin studied at the O.U. under the G.I. Bill. The family moved to Goodwell in 1965 and Professor McMakin taught drafting, pre-engineering courses and adult evening classes in upholstering. Mr. McMakin had taught at the public high school in Davenport and Moore, Oklahoma and at university level, retiring as Assistant Professor at Panhandle State University, Goodwell.

Leo served as Civil Defense Director at Moore, Oklahoma and was a Boy Scout Master and program director for summer camps with the Last Frontier Council, B.S.A. After moving to Goodwell, he had served on the Goodwell Town Board and was a longtime volunteer and Scouter with B.S.A., Goodwell Troop #142. In the education field, Mr. McMakin was a member of Texas-Cimarron Counties Retired Educations Association; Phi Delta Kappa, Oklahoma Educators Association, National Educators Association and American Industrial Arts Association, where he was a past president.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Ruth Smith.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Dorothy McMakin; three children, Leo Patrick McMakin and wife, Connie of Wintersprings, FL; Roger McMakin of Alamagordo, NM; and Mary Strain and husband, Rex, of Goodwell, OK; three brothers, George McMakin of Denver, CO; John McMakin and wife, Peggy of Florida; and James McMakin, and wife, Martha, of Atlanta, GA; five grandchildren, two step grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and a great-great grandson.

Visitation will be Tuesday, 4:00-9:00 PM at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be Wednesday morning, April 16th, 2008 at 11:00 AM at Panhandle Centenary United Methodist Church, Goodwell with Rev. Alex True, pastor, officiating. Military honors will follow in Goodwell Cemetery under the direction of Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon. Sign the online guest book at www.hensonnovak.com.

The family has suggested that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association, Salvation Army, or the Goodwell BSA Troop #142, c/o Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942.