Warren Bodkin

Warren Earl Bodkin died quietly in his sleep at his home Monday, April 28, 2008 at the age of 73. Warren was born May 13, 1934 to Hazel (McFarland) Bodkin and Earl H. Bodkin in Maud, Oklahoma. Warren lived his entire life in Pottawatomie County, the fourth generation of the Bodkin family, still owning the original tract of land west of Maud that was homesteaded in the "Land Run". He met and married Geraldine "Jerry" Rankin in 1954 after a bit of gentle encouragement from his Mother.rnrnWarren graduated from Maud Public Schools and continued his education at Oklahoma A&M, now known as Oklahoma State University. He was a great advocate of education and served 15 years on the Maud Board of Education. He was instrumental in the development of building of the Maud Community Center and Swimming Pool recognizing the need for summer recreation for the children of Maud and a banquet hall for various organizations and events.rnrnWarren grew up in the furniture business with his parents. He was co-owner of the Bodkin-Farrar Hardware and later joined his Dad in the Bodkin Furniture Store after the death of his mother in an auto accident near Maud. He worked in the store, eventually becoming the owner where he remained until his retirement in 1989. Warren spent the next years of his life raising cattle and farming full time, which was his true passion in life. He was meticulous about everything he did - from setting posts to planting rows of corn. He planned each day around a particular task on the farm or around the house and did not adjust very well to interference with those plans due to weather or other adverse conditions. He cherished time with his family especially on the 4th of July holidays spent at the pond watching fireworks and hoping the boys did not set his pasture on fire (which did happen a few times.) He attended graduations, weddings, ball games and birthday parties; always very quietly watching his family grow. Warren enjoyed going to the lake especially when he could cook and sneak food to the dogs under the table when he thought we weren't watching. Warren was a tough man on the exterior but had a soft heart especially for his family. The footprints he leaves behind will be hard ones to fill...rnrnWarren leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 54 years, Jerry Bodkin of the home; one son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Janis Bodkin of Maud, Oklahoma; three daughters and sons-in-laws, Kelley and Herb Buchanan of Maud, Oklahoma, Shelley and Gary Presley of Healdton, Oklahoma and Kathy Bodkin of Ponte Verda Beach, Florida.rnrnOther survivors include seven grandchildren whom he loved dearly; Brian O'Daniel, Brett O'Daniel both of Maud, Oklahoma, Lesley O'Daniel of Moore, Oklahoma, Meredith Presley of Norman, Oklahoma, Dustin Bodkin, Kash Bodkin and Bryce Bodkin all of Maud, Oklahoma. Also his two great grandsons; Ryan O'Daniel and Ty O'Daniel and another great grandchild is expected in July.rnrnAlso surviving are sisters and brothers-in-law; Carroll and K.C. "Tex" Farrar of Redding California and Deanna and Joe Ray Noland of Marietta, Georgia. Also a sister-in-law, Alene and husband Maurice Saulsbury of Drumright, Oklahoma and brother-in-law, Howard and wife Sue Rankin of Seminole, Oklahoma. His Aunts, Eunice Haer of Knoxville, Tennessee, Clarice Wooten of Florida and Glenn McFarland of Idaho also survive.rnrnWarren was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Hazel Bodkin and by one beloved grandson, Mason Presley.rnrnFuneral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2008 at the Maud High School Auditorium. Interment will follow at Cummings Cemetery in Maud, Oklahoma. Rev. Delbert Reed will officiate the service with close family friend Nels Rodefeld assisting.rnrnCasket Bearers will be: Brian O?Daniel, Brett O?Daniel, Dustin Bodkin, Kevin Cook, Al Bassett and Nels Rodefeld.rnrnHonorary Bearers will be: grandsons, Kash Bodkin, Bryce Bodkin and great grandsons, Ryan O?Daniel and Ty O?Daniel.rnrnServices are under the direction of Knight-Swearingen Funeral Home, Maud, Oklahoma (Phone 405-374-2424).rnrnThe family will be having lunch at Noon prior to the funeral, at the Maud Community Center.rn Funeral Information: April 30, 2008, 2:00 AM