Herbert Loudermilk

Herbert Lee Loudermilk, 89 year-old longtime Maud, Oklahoma resident passed from this life Monday, December 24, 2007 at his home in Maud. He was born May 27, 1918 in Dewer, Oklahoma to parents James Amos Loudermilk and Nettie Jane (Simmons) Loudermilk.rnrnHerbert married Opal Driscoll on September 16, 1939 in Norman, Oklahoma and together they moved to the Maud area from Fairfax, Oklahoma in 1947. They are members of the United Pentecostal Church of Shawnee. Mr. Loudermilk retired from Phillips Petroleum as a truck driver in 1977.rnrnHerbert leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Opal Loudermilk of the home. Three sons and daughters-in-law, Amos Lee Loudermilk of Maud, Oklahoma, Bill and wife Bobbie Loudermilk of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Tommy and wife Sue Loudermilk of Mounds, Oklahoma. One daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and husband David Hurst of Houston, Texas. Other survivors include ten grandchildren; Tony Hurst, Tim Hurst, Lezlea Creason, Jason Loudermilk, Ryan Loudermilk, Ashlea Loudermilk, Kathey Gaulding, Jennifer Charania, Dale Loudermilk and Brandon Loudermilk; Twenty-one great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren.rnrnMr. Loudermilk is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, three sisters, two grandchildren and two daughters-in-law.rnrnFuneral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 29, 2007 at The People?s Church (formerly known as St. Mark?s United Methodist Church) in Maud, Oklahoma. Rev. Vance Bowman will officiate the service, assisted by Rev. Roy Moss. Interment will follow at Cummings Cemetery in Maud, Oklahoma.rnrnCasket bearers will be grandsons, Tony Hurst, Tim Hurst, Jason Loudermilk, Ryan Loudermilk, Dale Loudermilk and Brandon Loudermilk.rnrnThe family will receive friends at Knight-Swearingen Funeral Home in Maud from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 28, 2007.rnrnServices are under the direction of Knight-Swearingen Funeral Home located at the corner of Broadway and Monroe Streets in Maud, Oklahoma. Phone 405-374-2424.rnrnThe above is all of the biographical information about the man Herb Loudermilk. There are a few things that people didn?t know about this tough man with a tender heart. He lived through the depression and knew all too well about hard times. When Herb was about 20 years old, his dad was killed in an automobile accident leaving his wife and five children at home. Herb helped his mother financially and fulfilled a father image to his younger siblings.rnrnIf you were around Herb for very long you would hear stories of Belle Starr, Pretty Boy Floyd and how he wanted to go to Pretty Boy Floyd?s funeral but didn?t have a quarter to pay for the trip to the city where the funeral was held.rnrnHerb loved the picture show and declared he learned to read by going to the ?Talkies? silent movies. He once even hocked a pair of his brother Raymond?s cowboy boots to get money for the show. All was well until Raymond saw his boots hanging in the window of the pawnshop.rnrnHerb hopped his first of many freight train rides when he was 13 years old in Kilgore, Texas. Once he rode between two boxcars and nearly froze. When the train arrived to town he could hardly walk. He went to the cotton gin and got into a stack of cotton seed and pulled it up all around him for warmth and the next morning when he woke up he said he looked like a walking cotton seed. People stared and started laughing as he walked from the cotton gin trying to pick off the cotton from his clothing.rnrnSoda pop truck in earlier days had open sides with cases of bottle pop. Herb pondered a way to get the soda from the truck without getting caught. He devised a plan to increase his running speed. He tied a rope to his dog that pulled him fast enough by the soda truck and he would throw several bottles into the grass allowing he and his friends to come back at a later time and enjoy a soda.rnrnThe family regrets not recording these and the dozens of stories he would tell.rnrnHerb loved animals, dogs, and horses, his favorite being appaloosas, which he owned several, fast and good looking. He also enjoyed cattle and going coon hunting with his good friend, Ernest Brown. He had a good hound dog and a fence-jumping mule.rnrnHerb was always thankful for his job with Phillips Petroleum and would often tell his wife, Opal, that Phillips made them a good living.rnrnA special time in his life was his 88th birthday when his family had a party for him at his home. When he was ask what he wanted for his birthday he would say ?a wheelbarrow of money?. So that is what he got a plastic toy wheelbarrow with money and cards.rnrnHe believed in one creator of everything and the name of Jesus. He was not intimidated to speak about God and His word. He attended the Pentecostal church in Shawnee as long as his health allowed. He supported the Church and Foreign Mission. He loved to greet the congregation before church services started and he taught a monthly mission class.rnrnSo much more could be said about this wonderful man. We will miss him, but we are thankful for he is at rest in his Heavenly Home.rnrnWe appreciate and thank the people of Maud and Seminole for all of their love and support. We would like to give special thanks to Dr. Tony Haddad, Dr. Stephen Feuerborn and Dr. Brendan O?Keeffe. The nurses of Amedisys Health Care, Audra, Susan and Nancy and the nurses from Loving Care Hospice, Debra, Jennifer and Coleesha. Herb dearly appreciated their health care, visits and compassion. rnrn Funeral Information: December 28, 2007, 10:30 AM