Milton Huston Denman

© The Purcell Register

August 11, 2005

Submitted by: Mary Anneler

Milton Huston Denman, 83, died at home in his sleep in Edmond, Okla., Aug 4, 2005 at 4 a.m. from complications from hepatitis C, in the presence of his loving wife, Mary, and his son, Steve.

He was born in Mena, Ark., March 30, 1922, the youngest of 8 children. His mother, Beulah, and his father, Huston, moved the family to a farm near Purcell, Okla., soon after. At the age of 16, he lied about his age and enlisted in the Army during World War II. He was a lieutenant in the artillery and marched across Germany with the 3rd Army led by General George Patton. After the war, he came home to Pauls Valley, Okla., where he met and married Mary Newell on Nov. 20, 1948. He also completed his B.A. in Education at East Central in Ada, Okla., but his graduation was held up because he had not completed high school. So he took a GED test and was awarded his high school and college degree at the same ceremony.

As a Lieutenant in the Army’s 45th Division National Guard, Milton, whom his wife, Mary, always referred to by his nickname “Jimmy” for his resemblance to actor Jimmy Stewart, was called up to fight in Korea and he returned from there to Oklahoma A & M College in Stillwater, Okla., to get his Master’s degree in Education Administration. While he was away in Korea, his son, Dan Michael, was born and his other son, Steven Grant, was 4.

Subsequently, he spent his entire career as a school principal and superintendent, distinguishing himself as President of the statewide Oklahoma Elementary Principals Association. He was also in The National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. His final duty was as Liaison Officer to The U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Upon retiring at the age of 62, Milton and Mary lived an active life in Edmond, where they had moved in 1964. They enjoyed going to the horse races and even owned some race horses. They were both co-founders of Southern Hills Christian Church in Edmond where Milt served as Chairman of the Board and was named Elder Emeritus in 1995, and, they especially enjoyed frequent visits to their son, daughter-in-law and 3 grandkids in Las Vegas.

Milton Huston Denman is survived by his loving wife, Mary of the home, his son, Steve, who with his wife, Linda, reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. His other son, Dan, died in 2002.

He is also survived by five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Steve Denman, Jr. and his wife Petra, of Sweinfurt, Germany, and their children, Sara, Janine and Stephen; Shawn Denyse (Denman) Dowe, and her husband Lieutenant Justin Dowe, of Okinawa, Japan, and their children, J.W., Marcus, and Kaylee; and Nicholas, Darren and Milt’s namesake, Jonathan Huston Denman, of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 9, 2005 in the Southern Hills Christian Church, Edmond, Oklahoma with the Reverend Dr. Gary Byrkit officiating. Burial will follow in the Gracelawn Cemetery, Edmond, Okla.

Serving as pallbearers were Steve Denman, Jr., Jim Cannon, Darren Denman, Carl Gibson, Charles Anderson, Johnathan Huston Denman, Eddie Denman, and Nicholas Denman.

Serving as honorary pallbearers were Linda Vaughn, Shawnda Jackson, Suellen Caywood, Margie Miller, Virginia Gibson, Shawn Denman Dowe, Sue Cannon, and Patti Reagon.