Roy Alton Boatner

Roy Alton Boatner was born on November 9, 1941 in Durant, OK to Frank and Minnie Ola (Mattingly) Boatner and passed from this life on February 9, 2014 in Durant, OK at the age of 72. Roy has lived most of his life in Bryan County attending school at Roberta, Blue and Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he received his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD. in Education Administration. Roy married Winona Walker on October 13, 1967 at the Blue Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for over 30 years and they were blessed with two children and 46 years together. Roy proudly served his Country in the United States Air Force for 8 years. Roy was an educator to children and a real estate broker for most of his life. He served as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for 4 years and as a member of the Oklahoma State Senate for 13 years. He was a driving force in the establishment of the Durant Campus of Kiamichi Technology Center and served as the first director. He was also the director for the Southern Oklahoma Development Association for several years, served on the board for the Medical Center of SE OK and as chairman for several years and was a member of the Kiwanis in Durant. He had a love of flying and was a pilot for almost 50 years. He enjoyed traveling by train and collecting railway memorabilia, but most of all he loved his family and community. Roy was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Minnie Ola Boatner; baby sister Francis Ann; grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles. Roy is survived by his wife Winona Boatner of the home; children Rhonda Manhard and husband Matt of Calera and son Alton Boatner and wife Tiffany of Calera; sisters Brenda Boone and husband Curtiss of Calera and Elaine Bennett and husband Johnny of Calera; brother Steve Boatner and wife Carolyn of Durant; grandchildren Peyton Boatner, Matthew Schuette, Jaicee, Stephen and Brian Manhard and Katie, Kyle and Preston Baugus; great granddaughter Sophia Boatner; nieces and nephews Lori Gallardo and husband Jose, Chanda Drew and husband Mark, Lerran Preston and husband Brandon, Jacee Bennett, Brent Lorance, Matt Boone and wife Summer, Russell Boone and wife Christian, Leven Paddock and wife Jennifer and numerous great nieces and nephews. Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Boatner will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, February 13, 2014 at Blue Baptist Church. Bro. Randy Lewis and Bro. Norman Ford will officiate. Interment will be in Philadelphia Cemetery with Terry Smith, Donald Robinson, Larry Conditt, James Bates, Brent Lorance and Leven Paddock serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Muggs (Alton) Culbreath, Ovoyde Boydston, Gary Lorance and Vernon Anderson. The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 5:30-7:00 P.M. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service, Durant. PDF Printable Version

Roy Alton Boatner

November 9, 1941 - February 9, 2014