FAIRVIEW FUNERAL HOME
FAIRVIEW, MAJOR CO, OK
(permission granted)
submitted by: Ann
Weber
Walter Ray Grabow
June 11, 1946 - June 12, 2017
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, June 24, 2017, 10:00 am at the Watonga Christian Church with Adam Lovitt officiating. Lunch will follow the service with Cemetery Internment immediately after lunch at Homestead Cemetery, Homestead, Oklahoma. Cremation arrangements and the service are under the direction of Fairview Funeral Home.
Walt was born in Fairview, Ok on June 11, 1946 to Rachel Ann (Martin) Grabow and Henry Walter Grabow. He had six sisters, Cleta Becker, Henretta Shaw, Kathryn Unwin, Patricia Laubach-Bowers, Berniece Olsen, and Sharie Smith, two adopted brothers, and one adopted sister, Mike Shaw, Ann Parish, and Joe Shaw. The family lived east of Longdale on the Grabow Ranch. When Walt was six years old he became ill with Polio, having to spend an entire year in the hospital. He attended Longdale School through the 3rd grade. When Walt was 9 years old the family moved three miles south of Canton, where Walt attended and graduated from Canton High school in May of 1965. He attended Oklahoma State University for 1 year. In 1967 he attended college at Oklahoma State Technical Institute and earned a degree in Small & Major Appliance Repair. In 1972 he attended Panhandle Oklahoma State University and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Natural Science and Animal Science. In 1973 he attended Oklahoma State University and earned a Master's Degree in Agriculture Education. In 1996 he attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he earned his Secondary Principal Certificate. Walt was certified in many different areas of Teaching including: Small and Major Appliance Repair, Science, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Ag Mechanics, Welding, Animal Science, Speech, Newspaper, Electricity, Land and Livestock Judging. Walt was a lifelong student of learning and taught adult classes in Electrical Wiring, Small Gas Engines, Predator Calling, Commodity Trading, Welding, and Gunsmithing. He also ran for the United States House of Representatives against Frank Lucas.
On July 14, 1966, Walt married Holly (Hart) Grabow at the Canton Christian Church. Together they had three daughters, Darla, Misti, Kristie, thirteen grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. Walt taught school at Red Rock, Hydro, Seiling, Dickson, and Okarche. He taught Vocational Agriculture for 22 years in Oklahoma. He raised his girls on the family farm instilling his uncommon work ethic with consistency and love. Walt found great joy in teaching his grandchildren to fish, hunt and build guns. He spent many family gatherings and holidays having fishing contests with the grandkids at the pond.
Walt received many awards and participated in professional activities in his career which include: Chicago Board of Trade Commodity Challenge Winner, Special Olympics Volunteer, American Society of Animal Science Scholarship Award, Co-author "Beyond the Basics", National Education Association Delegate, Oklahoma Education Association Special Services Committee, Dewey County Oklahoma Education Association President, American Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, North Central Evaluation Committee, Weyerhauser Forestry Camp Counselor, 4-H Camp Counselor, Staff Development Committee and Rural Small School Initiative. He served as President of the Kingfisher County Republican Party and Delegate to the State Convention. He was a member of the State Rules Committee. He was a member of the committee to create the Plains Oilseed Products, LLC in Oklahoma City for Canola in the state of Oklahoma in 2007.
Walt is survived by his wife Holly, daughter Darla and husband Jerome Jenkins of Drummond, Misti and husband Carl VanMeter of Canton, and Kristie and husband Todd Roling of Stowe, Vermont, thirteen grandchildren, Paden Warrick of Fairview, Zak Wilson of Drummond, Devon Kershner and wife Laura of Carlton, Kaelob Kershner and wife April of Canton, Jordan and Dawson Jackson of Stowe, Laura and husband Jason Justus of Enid, Sarah and husband Joe Lechliter of Enid, Michael Jenkins of Enid, Calla Jenkins of Oklahoma City, Tyler VanMeter of Hammon, Nikki Truong of Canton, Joni VanMeter of Canton, and nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by Sister Cleta Becker of Fairview, and Sister Sharie Smith and husband Bobby Smith of Fairview, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude to all of Walt's many caregivers during his long and courageous fight with cancer. Their kind hearts and compassionate care were extraordinary. The family would like to extend a special Thank You to Pastors Doyle Warren, David Johnson, and Adam Lovett as Walt accepted Christ as his SAVIOR on August 4, 2004. The Heavens declare the Glory of God and it is Well with Walt's soul. We would also like to express our gratitude to all of the many Church Friends and Family for their unwavering support.
In
lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to Watonga Christian Church or a
charity of their choice with the Fairview Funeral Home serving as
custodian.
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