Troy Lee Mantooth
Jul 25, 1923 - Jun 2, 2012
Posted by: Ann Weber

Eisenhour Funeral Home
Blanchard, McClain Co, OK
(permission granted)

Troy was born on July 25, 1923 to his beloved parents, John Henry and Myrtle Lee (Mahurin) Mantooth in Cole, Oklahoma. He attended school at the little country school in Cole and enjoyed doing all the “fun stuff” a country boy could do. But at the same time, he had the “grown-up” duties of helping his mother and daddy run the farm.

He had responsibilities at a very young age. Everyone “looked up” to Troy because of that and was the “big brother” everyone needed. He was a man of his word and everyone depended on him. He was a Christian man who understood the responsibilities that God called him to. His family and friends went to him for most everything and he enjoyed being able to provide what was needed. Troy was a man of strong integrity and convictions who looked to God for guidance on how to “walk” with Him. As a kid, the best place to be was in Daddy’s arms, because we could “touch” the sky and see what he saw “way up” there. He was such a tall man and it was fun to be carried by him. It was like climbing a tree, because we could see everything below. Troy gave us the example of how a father loves his children. God carries His children in His arms so we can be safe and way above everything. He provides and cares for us.

Troy married the love of his life, Mary Alice (Selby), on March 19, 1942 in Davis, Oklahoma. Troy was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was the first American soldier to arrive at the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp at the end of the war. He worked for many years as a sheet metal worker at Tinker Air Force Base and Kelly Air Force Base. He then went on to work for Bell Helicopter for over 20 years until his retirement. Troy enjoyed reading books, but his greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his children and grandchildren. Troy joined his family in heaven on June 2, 2012 at the age of 88 years.

Troy is preceded in death by his parents, John and Myrtle Mantooth; his wife, Mary Mantooth; a son, Jimmie Hugh Mantooth; son-in-law, James Doyle Harrison; a brother and sister-in-law, Joe Jerry Mantooth and Bertha Mantooth; and a brother-in-law, Frank Morr.

He is survived by one son, Don Mantooth and wife Cindy of San Antonio, Texas; one daughter, Carol Harrison of Kerrville, Texas; four grandchildren, Gina Mantooth, Jimmy Harrison, Michael Mantooth, and Josh Mantooth; five great grandchildren, Elizabeth and Katheryn Thompson, Logan, Lorelei, and Lillian Harrison; a sister, Irene Morr of Silsbe, Texas; and many other relatives and friends. Troy would have us to know how important it is to give your heart to Jesus and trust in Him for our eternal life with Him. Then we too can know what is awaiting us when God calls us home.

Funeral service will be at 2:30 PM, Monday, June 4, 2012 at the Eisenhour Funeral Home Chapel in Blanchard with his nephew, Jack Selby officiating. Burial will follow in the Blanchard Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home in Blanchard. Online obituary and guestbook available at www.eisenhourfh.com.