© Alva Review-Courier
620 Choctaw Street
Alva, Oklahoma 73717
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Murl Dean Wilkins

September 20, 1950 - June 6, 2023

A barbecue potluck meal to honor Murl will be provided at the Women's Bulding at the Woods County Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 4 p.m. to whenever. Interment will be in Fort Sill Memorial Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at http://www.whartonfuneralchapel.com

Murl Dean Wilkins was born on September 20, 1950, in Harrah, Oklahoma, as a twin brother to Burl Wilkins. Murl attended McLoud Public Schools. During high school he played football and was on McLoud's first wrestling team. It was during this time that he developed a love for reading and history. After high school, Murl married his high school sweetheart Karen Crookham of Harrah. He enlisted into the US Army shortly after his marriage and earned his Jump Wings as an Army parachutist with the 173rd Airborne Brigade as a "Sky Soldier." He spent nine months deployed in Vietnam before being severely injured in combat. Due to his brave and selfless service, Murl was awarded the Purple Heart as well as the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.

After sustaining a life changing injury that would stop most people in their tracks, Murl was able to rehabilitate and earned his teaching degree and two master degrees. Murl instructed several thousands of students over his career as a teacher of shop, construction, and auto restoration for 30 years between Choctaw High School, OCCC and Northwest Technology Center. Murl was an avid antique car lover and could fix or build just about anything. His knowledge about automobiles and construction was fascinating and immense.

After retiring from his first career of teaching, Murl started his own business doing home inspections. After retiring from that career he was approached by the State of Oklahoma to do conduct accident investigations for job sites in and throughout northwest Oklahoma. With Murl's vast knowledge of OSHA standards and safety practices, he fit perfectly into that role. After retiring for a third time in his professional career, Murl invested in the cattle industry, becoming a gentleman rancher keeping him busy for several years into his final retirement.

Murl continued to enjoy fishing, hunting and gardening most of his life until he became ill. He was a true survivalist and enjoyed the outdoors. He was known for stocking his freezer with deer meat for the winter and always braving the cold to get a deer or two. He was also know for his patriotism and extreme pride for U.S. soldiers. Murl was the Commander of the Black Wing 2847 VFW for over 10 years and he organized countless events welcoming soldiers home from deployments.

During his life, Murl had two daughters, whom he loved unconditionally and he gleamed with pride when he spoke of them to others. Murl provided for his daughters and made many sacrifices to make sure they were educated and taken care of. He was blessed with five grandchildren that he loved to spoil and brag about.

He was united marriage to Shirley Honer on June 5, 2000, and with that marriage he gained a stepdaughter, Carrie Hatlestad. Murl and Shirley enjoyed going to swap meets and auctions. They also enjoyed traveling to visit the family in Oklahoma City especially on the holidays. Murl enjoy the outdoors so much, he chose to share his passion with his stepdaughter, Carrie, taking her hunting and fishing.

Murl and his family are so thankful that he was able to pass in the comfort of his own home.

Murl was preceded in death by his father, Owen Winkle; mother, Helen Winkle; brother, Darrel Winkle; half-brother, Alvin Winkle; and half-sister, Patricia Winkle.

He is survived by his sister, Juanita Hayes; twin brother, Burl Wilkins; brother, Donald Winkle and wife Shirley Wilkins; stepdaughter, Carrie Hatlestad; daughter, Jennifer Lindsey and husband Eric Lindsey; daughter, Kimberley Bement and husband Thomas Bement; grandchildren, Madelyn Lindsey, Annabel Lindsey, Thomas Bement, Eli Bement, and Sawyer Bement; many cousins, nieces and nephews and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that if you choose, make a donation to the The Honor Crew, which is a charity organization that helps spouses and families with hardships while their spouse is deployed for military service. Go to honorcrew.org to donate. Or you can mail checks payable to The Honor Crew, PO Box 476, Edmond, OK 73083.