Nathan Elbert Dobbs
May 19, 1919 - May 18, 2020
Nathan Elbert Dobbs was born May 19, 1919, in Wilburton, Oklahoma to Jesse and Ethel Lee (Lawson) Dobbs. He passed away in Lawton on May 18, 2020, just one day short of his 101st birthday.
A graveside memorial service, with Ray Cook officiating, is scheduled for Thursday, May 28, at 11 A.M. at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Duncan. Military honors will be presented by the Stephens County Honor Guard. Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home/Oakcrest Cremation Center of Duncan.
Nathan, the second of eleven children, graduated from Maude public schools. He attended Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) where he learned to fly planes. He worked as a pipeline inspector and as a commercial pilot for Williams Brothers Oil. At the young age of 5, he learned to drive a pickup while squirrel hunting with his dad. Nathan joined the US Navy in 1941 when World War II broke out and served as a Naval Aviator until his honorable discharge in 1946.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Blanca (Molina) Dobbs; his parents, Jesse and Ethel Dobbs; and his six brothers and four sisters: Aubrey Ethan Dobbs, "Tuffy" Atha Albert Dobbs, Lila Lee Elliot, Lela Maxine Rothe, Jesse Edward Dobbs Jr., Ruth "Verlene" Brock, "Buddy" Harry Eugene Dobbs, "Pete" Norman Owen Dobbs, Larry Joe Dobbs, and Treesa Vana Dobbs.
Nathan is survived by his children: Alfonzo and wife Martha Arze of Johnson City, Tennessee; Rita Arze and Danny Hammack of Duncan; and 23 nieces and nephews and their families, including those who were closest to him: Tammie Cook, Cindy L. Hons, and Aubrey Ethan Dobbs, Jr.
Memorial contributions can be made in his honor to the Veterans Center, 501 SE Flower Mound Road, Lawton, OK 73501.
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