Durwood Bonner

Durwood Cotten Bonner, longtime resident of Fairfax, passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at the Talihina, Oklahoma Veterans Home. He was 79 years of age.

Cotten was born September 2, 1930 at Blue Mountain, Arkansas, the son of Grover Cleveland Bonner and Allie Jane Terry Bonner. He received his early education in the Blue Mountain area schools. He served his country during the Korean War as a member of the United States Army. After his Army service Cotton served with the Oklahoma National Guard 45th Infantry Division.

He was married to Lula Dell Sharp on April 15, 1953 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The couple moved to Fairfax in 1953. The couple moved to Midland, Texas in the early 1960s where Cotten operated a filling station. The couple returned to Fairfax in 1964. Cotten had also worked for a short time in the mines near Leadville, Colorado. He was employed three years with the Osage County District 2.He began employment with the Fairfax School System in 1967 and worked 21 years as a custodian, retiring in 1988. Cotten and his wife became charter members of the Fairfax Full Gospel Church in 1957. His enjoyments included fishing, working in his yard and time spent with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lula, of the home one brother, Carl Clayton Bonner, Castle, Oklahoma one sister, Lille Mae Sharp, Ponca City, Oklahoma three grandchildren, Christopher Alan Bonner, of the home, Biven Earl Bonner, Bristow, Oklahoma and Allee Jayne Alfaro, DeMenico, Costa Rica three great grandchildren, Trystanlee Bonner, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Dixie Joy Bonner, of Arkansas, and Jayden Cotten Bonner, Arkansas City, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Durwood Smokie Bonner II on June 8, 2009.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010 at the Fairfax Full Gospel Church with Pastor Lewis Bernard presiding assisted by Rev. George Weston. Burial will be in the Fairfax Cemetery under the direction of the HunsakerWooten Funeral Home.

Casket bearers will be Murlon Sharp, Andy Sharp, Alton Crenshaw Jr., Ted McKinney, Jerry Moore and Clay Houston. Honorary casket bearers will be the men of the Full Gospel Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma School for the Blind, 3300 Gibson Street, Muskogee, Oklahoma 74403.