William Robert Pogue's Obituary
William Robert Pogue, Fairland, Oklahoma, affectionately known as Bob, passed away after a sudden illness at the age of 79 on September 26, 2023, in Joplin, Missouri. Bob was born on September 27, 1943, to Lena Beryl Staton Pogue and James Kenneth Pogue, in Miami, Oklahoma.
In 1967, Bob married Jean Eason, and had three children, Michale and Jason Pogue, both of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Justin Pogue of Joplin, Missouri. Bob and Jean divorced in 1981. Bob met the love of his life, Paulette, in 1984. They married in 1986, on horseback, in Fairland, Oklahoma.
Bob attended school in Welch, Oklahoma. Bob was one of nine children, born over a ten-year span. Bob and his five brothers were all horsemen. Bob loved announcing rodeos and climbing out of the announcer’s booth to take his turn in his event. Bob served with the Oklahoma National Guard for many years. Bob spent his early career managing several farrowing houses in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Minnesota. Bob eventually transitioned to the coal mining industry and spent 39 years working for Ranchers Coal Company, Haskell Mining, and Brakefield Equipment until he retired in January 2020. There wasn’t a piece of equipment on the job site that Bob couldn’t run, or even blow up. The friends at the coal mine became family.
After retirement, you could find Bob and his brothers, nephews, grandson, friends, and anyone who liked to fish, jumping ponds all over northeast Oklahoma. There is still a small debate about who was the best fisherman, but Bob almost always proclaimed his dominance. Bob was a skilled roper and steer wrestler, and could be found at just about any rodeo he could drive to. Bob was also a passionate horseman, whose love of these majestic animals never faded. Both he and Paulette grew their love at the racetrack, and his kids loved tagging along. Bob and Paulette were proud to breed and train their own racehorses, but also training and racing for friends and family. Bob was very proud of Miami Prince and Dashboard Drummer, his most accomplished racehorses.
Bob was tough on the outside, but had the most tender heart. Bob epitomized what it meant to be a cowboy gentleman. Bob loved dogs of all sizes. You would always find a dog in his lap as he sat in the recliner, and you’d certainly find a rather large one roaming the farm, scaring the daylights out of people, mostly his son. What visitors quickly found out is that he and Paulette turned those large, scary dogs into the most gentle friends a couple could have. Known for his quick wit, you could always count on a zinger in his many stories.
Bob was known for always having a buckeye or two in his pocket to give to a stranger. Bob always asked if they knew what the buckeye was and what it symbolized. He loved explaining how carrying it could bring them luck. Bob was also known for hosting large family fish fry’s. Having his family gather was the ultimate treasure for Bob. He loved his family more than anything. Bob took great pride in hosting these events and loved all the fishing that took place in order to host the event.
Bob is predeceased by his mother and father, Beryl and James, four brothers, James (Jim) Pogue John Pogue, Jack Pogue, and Tom Pogue; one sister, JoAnn Merit, and Father and Mother-in-Law, Norman and Colleen Coppedge. Bob is survived by his wife, Paulette Pogue, of the home; his daughter, Michale Pogue, Stillwater, Oklahoma; son, Jason and Cate Pogue, Stillwater, Oklahoma; one brother, Don and Toni Pogue, Miami, Oklahoma; two sisters, Carolyn and Dave Ritchey, Miami, Oklahoma; and Mary Kay Allen, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; two grandsons, Caden Pogue, Baldwin City, Kansas; Dalton Pogue, Wyandotte, Oklahoma; four granddaughters, Hannah Pogue, Wyandotte, Oklahoma; Kennedi Pogue, Libby Harrison and Sydney Harrison, all of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Bob is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at the First Christian Church of Miami on Friday, September 29, 2023. Minister Leon Weece officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. Bob was a champion for the cause and believed there was no higher calling than assisting the heroes who have served and sacrificed for our country.
Honorary pallbearers include Bob’s best friends, Jim Brakefield, Keith Phillips, Randy Swango, Mike Gunter, and Martin Grotheer.
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