Francis Warren HOAD

Enid News and Eagle Enid, Garfield Co., OK

11-10-2012

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

© Brown Funeral Home

Funeral service for Mr. Francis “Fran” Warren Hoad, 90, of Enid, will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, at Brown-Cummings Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Pat Sutherlin officiating. Burial will follow in Enid Cemetery under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Military graveside honors will be conducted by Vance Air Force Base Silver Talon Honor Guard. The family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, at Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.

It was here, while attending a USO Dance at the old Youngblood Hotel, he met Martha Bingham. Fran went off to serve in the war as a co-pilot. On one of his return flights from a bombing mission his damaged plane went down in the English Channel. He and the surviving members of his crew were picked up by the Germans. He spent 13 months in a German Prison Camp. While in that camp Martha wrote him daily letters encouraging him. On his return, Martha and he married in Enid, where they made their home raising their three children. He and Martha have been married for 67 years. Fran belonged to the Air Force Reserve after the war and achieved the rank of Major.

Fran’s bravery and commitment in service to his country, family and church have been exemplified by the earning of a Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross (an amazing story in itself), the provision of a home and education for his children and the work he and Martha did in serving as charter members of Willow Road Christian Church. Fran and Martha currently belong to Central Christian Church, where he sang in the choir for many, many years. Working as a mail carrier (a U.S. Mule as he fondly called it) for the U.S. Post Office until retirement, Fran made many friends not only with those who received mail, but also all the dogs along the way. He has always had a fondness for dogs.

While in prison camp he received 14 days in solitary confinement for drawing one of the guard dogs goose-stepping behind the guard. He later named his own dog, Fritz, in honor of that guard dog. Fran’s loving family will greatly miss him, but have many wonderful memories of family 4th of July celebrations, camping trips and the great pride he had for them. He leaves his wife, Martha and his three children, Ray Hoad (wife Edie), Alan Hoad (wife Beth) and Jennie Hoad O’Neal (husband Mike). Also his grandchildren, Emily Hoad, Cheryl Hamilton (and Andy), Jennifer Reyes (Jose), Brandi Nortman (Michael), Michael Hoad, Katie Bender Thomas (Craig) and his eight great-grandchildren will miss and always cherish his memory.

Special thanks to Meagan Hood, who faithfully and lovingly helped to care for Fran for the past three years. And of course, thanks to his best friend and companion, Fritz. Memorials may be made to Salvation Army, with Brown-Cummings Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.

Martha "Marty" Emily BINGHAM HOAD

Enid News and Eagle Enid, Garfield Co., OK

01-28-2013

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

© Enid News and Eagle

Funeral service for Martha "Marty" Emily Bingham Hoad, 89, of Enid, will be 10 a.m. today, Feb. 2, 2013, at Brown-Cummings Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Pat Sutherlin will officiate. Burial will follow in Enid Cemetery. Service is under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.

Marty was born to Guy and Lillian Bingham on May 23, 1923, and passed away Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013. An Enid native, she was active in our community from her earliest days, acting in community plays. ile a student at Phillips University, Marty attended a USO dance at the Youngblood Hotel, where she met a young Army Air Corp pilot, Fran Hoad, from Buffalo, N.Y. When Fran went to war, Marty wrote him every week. When he was captured by the Nazis, her letters encouraged him during his long imprisonment. After the war, Fran and Marty married. Over the next 67 years, Marty and Fran built a home, raised three children, sent them all to college and helped build our community.

Marty taught English at Enid High School for over 20 years and served on boards for Phillips University, Gaslight Theater and Enid Women's Symphony Auxiliary. She volunteered for the Salvation Army, and after retiring for Enid Public Schools, Marty was an honorary lifetime member of the Garfield County Republican Women. Marty and Fran were charter members of Willow Road Christian Church. In later years, they belonged to Central Christian Church. The traditions Marty led for our family will live on in our hearts and memories. Her love and effort made holidays and vacations memorable. Fourth of July celebrations were the highlight, with days spent swimming and playing croquet and nights spent creating our own firework show. Marty's passion for community service inspires us to faithfully serve our own communities.

Marty's loving husband, Fran, passed away just a few months ago. She is survived by three children, Ray (wife Edie) Hoad, Alan (wife Beth) Hoad, and Jennie (husband Mike) O'Neal, and six grandchildren, Emily Hoad, Cheryl (husband Andy) Hamilton, Jennifer (husband Jose) Reyes, Brandi (husband Michael) Nortman, Michael Hoad and Katie (husband Craig) Thomas. Marty and Fran were blessed with eight great-grandchildren, whose pictures she proudly displayed and stories she proudly told.