Clifton Lee Wilkins

Clifton Lee Wilkins, 87, a Miami resident passed away Craig General Hospital in Vinita, Oklahoma Wednesday, February 26, 2014. Clifton was born April 26, 1926 in Bluejacket, Oklahoma the son of Curl E. and Sarah (Carden) Wilkins. He graduated from Bluejacket High School in 1944 and entered the United States Army that fall. He was a member of the 290th Infantry; General Patton’s Third Army and was in the Battle of the Bulge. Clif was the recipient of two Bronze Stars. At the time he had three brothers serving in the military. After military duty he enrolled at NEO A&M College and was recognized as the outstanding Ag student. Mr. Wilkins continued his education at Oklahoma A&M completing a degree in Animal Husbandry. He married Cherokee Rose Roberson on August 27, 1954. He worked as a 4-H agent for the OSU Extension Service in Delaware and Ottawa Counties. He served on the Miami Friendship House board, where he with two other people started the friendship house. He also served on the Ottawa County Rural Water District #2 Board, along with the Craig County Rural Water District #2 Board at different times. Clif was a member of Kiwanis Club, and First Baptist Church and the OSU Alumni Association. He was also elected as central district County Commissioner for Ottawa County. Farming and Ranching kept him busy and he liked to work. He was preceded in passing by his wife of fifty-nine years Cherokee Rose (Roberson) Wilkins, his parents, brothers Carden Esmond Wilkins, Lovell Loyd Wilkins, Chester William Wilkins, Lester Fuller Wilkins and John Owen Wilkins. He is survived by his son William Clifton Wilkins and his children; Dr. Brek Wilkins and wife Karen of Tulsa, Quinn Wilkins, Faith Eileen Wilkins of Fayetteville, Arkansas, a son James L. Wilkins and his wife Paula of Bluejacket, and their sons Cameron Wilkins and wife Krista and Corbin Wilkins of Bluejacket. Also Surviving is his sister Lucy May Harris and husband Norman of Bluejacket, Brother Elmer Gene Wilkins of Collinsville, a sister-in-law Jewel Wilkins of McAlester, Oklahoma, several nieces and nephews and former daughter in law Lisa Wilkins of Fayetteville. Visitation will be on Monday, March 3, 2014 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Brown-Winters Funeral Home in Miami. Services will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 4, 2013 at First Baptist Church in Miami with Reverend Rick Longcrier officiating. Interment will follow at the Bluejacket Cemetery under the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to The Wounded Warrior Project in care of the funeral home. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mr. Wilkin’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Clifton Lee Wilkins

April 26, 1926 - February 26, 2014