John Walter Miner

January 17, 1927 ~ January 7, 2021

© Cooper Funeral Home
Reprinted with Permission

Submitted by: Terry Dudley

John William Walter Miner, 93, of Tecumseh, Oklahoma passed away Thursday, January 7, 2021 at his home.

He was born January 17, 1927 to Jim and Bertie (Bond) Miner in Hanna, Oklahoma.

John was raised on the family farm in Savanna, Oklahoma and attended Savanna Public Schools.

At the age of 17 he joined the U.S. Army during WWII serving in the South Pacific. After he was honorably discharged he traveled throughout California on his motorcycle. He was very proud of his military service and proud to call himself a veteran.

He met his future wife, Opal Joyce Bourland, when his good friend, A.D. took him to his home and the rest was history. John and Opal were married on December 16, 1950 in Van Buren, Arkansas. They raised their family in McAlester, later moving to Oklahoma City and in 1960 moved to Tecumseh they have lived since. Opal preceded him in death on July 23, 2019.

While living in McAlester John went to work at the Navy Depot. After moving to Oklahoma he went to work at Tinker Air Force Base and retired as the Supply Section Chief in 1974. After retiring from Tinker in 1974 he went to work at Cooper Funeral Home until he retired the second time in 1989. He along with his wife Opal built and remodeled many homes throughout their marriage. He loved traveling with his wife; he and Opal were considered Snowbirds and wintered in McAllen, Texas for many years. His greatest passion was spending time with his family who he loved very much.

He was a member of Tecumseh Mason Lodge, AF & AM 69 and was a Scottish rite 32nd degree Mason, Guthrie Consistory.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Opal Miner; son, Gary Miner; great-granddaughter, Chloe Carter; his parents, James and Bertie Miner; and 6 brothers and sisters.

Survivors include 1 daughter, Brenda Carter of Tecumseh; 2 sons 1 daughter-in-law, Larry Miner of Tecumseh and Dub and Beverly Miner of Tecumseh; 8 grandchildren, Sammie Miner, Gary and Marissa Miner, Brent Miner, Tina and Rick Sturm, Evie and Troy Reed, James and Natahlie Miner, Krystal & Tim LaValley and Jeremy and Hollie Carter; 24 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; 1 sister, Bea Coleman of Oklahoma City, OK; and many loving friends and extended family.

Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 10, 2021 at Cooper Funeral Home. Graveside Service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 11, 2021 at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. Please join the celebration of John’s life through Cooper Funeral Home’s Facebook page for live streaming of the service.