Johnny Auston Tatum, was born June 11, 1933, in Quinton, Oklahoma to Cecil and Lily Bell (Hankins) Tatum. He departed this life to be with the Lord on August 15, 2011, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas at the age of 78 years, two months and one day.

Johnny was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Korean War. After his military service, he married Madie Coble, on May 12, 1956, in Arvin, California.

Johnny was an ordained minister for 48 years and together he and Madie pastored churches in Arvin, Lamont and Bakersfield, California and later entered into evangelism. They were associated with the Pentecostal Holiness Churches for over 40 years. He was a member of the Stilwell Pentecostal Holiness Church.

Johnny also was an entomologist and retired from Buttonwillow Warehouse Industries in Bakersfield, after many years of service. His job included advising California farmers how to get the best yield from their crops.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Madie Tatum, on January 4, 2007, one brother, Bill Tatum, and three sisters, Lucille Tatum Graves, Jo Ann Light and Virginia Fellsinger.

His surviving family includes, four sons, Terry Tatum and wife, Ladenna, of Stilwell, Rick Tatum, of Bunch, Larry Tatum and wife, Susan, of Stilwell, Jeff Tatum and wife, Bernadette, of Tulsa; one sister, Shirley McCuan and husband, Bobby, of Bakersfield, CA, seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren and numerous friends, family and loved ones.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 19, 2011, at the Stilwell Pentecostal Holiness Church with Bishop Randell Drake officiating. Interment will follow at Stilwell City Cemetery under the direction of Hart Funeral Home of Stilwell.

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