Clovis L. Easter

© Cheyenne Star

03 Jun 2004

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

Clovis L. Easter, 77, retired Air Force Major, was born on April 14, 1927 to Grover and Jesse B. Thompson Easter near Carter, Oklahoma and passed away peacefully to be with the Lord, after a long and courageous battle with cancer on May 20, 2004 at his home in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Clovis enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 serving 2 1/2 years as a Signalman Third Class and continued four years in the Naval reserves. After his Naval discharge in 1946, Clovis returned home as a senior in high school, graduating from Highway High School in 1947.

He later graduated from Sayre Junior College.

He joined the military in 1951 to serve his country with in the U.S. Air Force as an officer and pilot for over 20 years.

"Luke" as he was called in the Air Force, was an extremely patriotic citizen and served his country with distinction and honor, seeing action in World War II and Vietnam. While serving in the Air Force, Clovis received numerous awards, medals and decorations. His quick thinking and fast actions, along with his "air discipline and ... high degree professional airmanship...reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force," which made him highly respected and a hero in the eyes of his colleagues and family members.

On January 6, 1954, Clovis married Ruth Sutton, in Cordell, Oklahoma. To this union were four children, Ruth Ann, Kim, Terri and Luke.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1969, Clovis and Ruth made their home in Cordell to raise their children and run an insurance business. In 1980, they moved to Weatherford and continued in the insurance industry until his retirement in 1996.

Anyone that knew Clovis also knew him to be a die hard OU football fan. He kept up with the OU football team, working on stats daily, watching all the games on his big screen, and seeing OU play Florida Championship at the Orange Bowl, before his health failed.

After his eight-and-one-half hour extensive surgery at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, he demanded to be released within a few days to watch an OU football game.

Clovis was a loving husband, devoted father and grandpa.

He enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing with his family and friends, having coffee with his buddies at the Point and he especially loved being around his family.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge Western Star Lodge 138 and also Heartland Shrine Club.

He was a fine example of a man - good and honorable. He worked hard and loved his family and friends with great devotion.

He was a fighter...he fought a valiant battle with cancer for over seven years.

Clovis is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ruth Easter; daughters, Ruth Ann Easter and husband Mark Albertson, of Cleburne, Texas; Kim Vallier and husband Chad, of Fountain Valley, California; Terri L. Kauk and husband Kenny of Leedey, Oklahoma; and one son Luke Easter and wife Stacey of Littletown, Pennsylvania; nine grandchildren, Ryan Rainbolt, Emma Easter-Albertson, Jenae Veal, Brandi Kauk-Green, Heather and Dane Kauk, Cori, Adrienne, and Madi Easter; and two step-granddaughters Monique and Alexandra Vallier. He is also survived by his older brother, Samuel Wayne Easter and wife Naomi of Harper, Kansas; "baby sister" Etta Mae and husband Delbert Oehme of Bryan, Texas; sister-in-law, Muriel Bloomer Easter of Ft. Worth, Texas; and many loving and caring family members and friends.

Clovis was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Damon, Cleveland and Delbert Easter; and an infant sister Fern Easter.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday June 3, 2004 at the First Baptist Church in Weatherford, Oklahoma with interment at Lawnview Cemetery, Cordell, Washita County, Oklahoma.