John O. Wilkins

Obituary for John O. Wilkins: “Ride ‘Em, Cowboy!” John Owen Wilkins, better known as “Johnny, the Cowboy,” passed from this life on Thursday, December 12, 2013 to go to that Big Round-Up in the Sky at the age of 76. Born in Blue Jacket, Oklahoma to parents C.E. and Sarah Elizabeth Wilkins, Johnny was the seventh of eight siblings (Curl Esmond, Clifton, Chester, Lester, Lovell, Lucy, John and Elmer). Being a loving son, brother and father, to the union of Mary Kay (Brewster) Wilkins was added four lovely daughters, John’s “Little Angels”: Johna Kay, Jackie, Judy and Jamie Lynn. John was a member of the Blue Jacket High School graduating class of 1956 and had participated over the years in several reunion events. Having surrendered his heart and spurs to the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age, this bronco cowboy was a member of Victory Christian Center and had been active from time to time in soul-winning activities, including a few outreach programs where he provided and assisted with free horse-riding for the inner-city children program. Known for his booming voice and his ruggedly handsome cowboy looks (a true Marlboro Man with a hint of John “the Duke” Wayne mannerisms, and a Will Rogers’ wit), he had worked on a Dude Ranch in Arkansas where he broke and trained horses, herded cattle and learned the art of being a rodeo cowboy. On his best days, John could rope a calf in 8 to 9 seconds, or ride a bucking horse like a professional without falling off. Johnny performed in several small rodeos and had even managed the Berryhill Rodeo Arena, where he and his family made their home. John would live the next four decades in Berryhill (a small community west of Tulsa) where on his “Little Ponderosa,” he raised horses, had goats and chickens, and enjoyed many years of good times with friends and relatives. Johnny never knew a stranger. Like his heart, his home was always open. Through the years, many friends and family members needing a place to stay had bunked with him—his doors were always open. After several years of employment as the lead foreman for the street crew for the City of Sand Springs, John went to work for A-1 Tent Rental, where, besides assisting with the management of work teams, he was allowed to care and manage the horses on his brother Chester’s property. He did this for many years. Besides all this, he and his nephew Larry Wilkins, owned and maintained a goat farm in Blue Jacket, where he and Larry would make several trips to throughout each month. Although in this lifetime Johnny never acquired the great wealth he said he would someday win—like hitting the jackpot in a lottery, or getting the numbers right in a horserace—he was rich in many other ways. He leaves behind a wealth of loving family members, close friends, and fond, fond memories. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers: Curl, the twins—Chester and Lester, and Lovell; and a host of loving friends who rode with him through the Rodeo of Life. John’s survivors include his daughters Johna Kay McHenry of Fort Worth and her husband Mark; Jackie Wilkins of Tulsa; Judith Rachel Wilkins of Muskogee; and Jamie Lynn of Tulsa and her husband James; brothers Clifton Wilkins of Blue Jacket and wife Rose; and Elmer Wilkins of Collinsville and wife Jewel; sister Lucy Harris of Blue Jacket and husband Norman; grandchildren: Brian Haynes of Virginia and wife Tiffany (with baby Andrea Nicole Lynn), Zachery McHenry of Texas (children Jayden and Emelia Mae-Denise Vanloh), Erin Lynn Johnson of Missouri with husband Zenis (expecting: Jaxon Lee Johnson), Sarah Elizabeth McHenry of Texas (with baby Aiden Ellis Edwards), Cameron Pride, Christian Pride and Parker Pride; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; and loving friends. “Giddy up, Cowboy!!! Yyyeehi!”

John O. Wilkins

July 3, 1937 - December 12, 2013