Lt. Col. John O. Pewthers

Lt. Col. John O. Pewthers of Waurika, Oklahoma, passed peacefully in his home on Friday, March 1, 2024 in the presence of his three daughters Janice, Kim and Terri.

John was born on December 22, 1936, at home in Mountain View, Oklahoma, to Keith and Margie Pewthers. He graduated as co-valedictorian from Mountain View, Oklahoma, High School in 1955. While in high school, he loved playing sports and showing livestock for the FFA. He graduated in 1959 from Oklahoma State University with a BS in Agronomy Field Crops with Range Management Option. While at OSU, he did four years of AF Reserve Officer Training Corps.

He was in the U.S. Air Force for 36 years, three of which were active duty as a Photo-Radar Intelligence Officer and an Air Police Officer. He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Lt. Col. in 1996.

He received his pilot’s license in 1963. He worked for the soil conservation service for 34 years as a range and district conservationist.

John married the love of his life, Phyllis Joy Roles, on September 25, 1955. They had three daughters, Janice, Kim, and Terri and eventually settled down in Waurika, Oklahoma. He was an active member in his community and was involved in the Civil Air Patrol, Society for Range Management, Lions Club, American Legion and many others over the years. He accepted Christ at the age of 9 at the First Baptist Church in Mountain View, Oklahoma. He was an energetic member of The First Baptist Church of Waurika, Oklahoma, for over 40 years. Over the years his roles consisted of Sunday school teacher, training union director, Sunday school superintendent, choir member, and had been a deacon of the church since 1966. He enjoyed life.

He is remembered as a man that loved quail hunting with his bird dogs, singing praises to God, reading books and traveling with Joy to see all the breathtaking views of God’s creations.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Margie Pewthers; a brother-in-law, Don Calvert; and his wife of 65 years, Joy. He is survived by his three daughters, Janice Joy Mackiewicz (Jake) of Pittsburgh, PA, Johnna Kim Duell (Doug) of Burlington, CO, and Terri Dian Moore (David) of Amarillo, TX, six grandchildren: Erica Hunt (Andrew) of Grove, OK, Barrett Duell (BreeAnn) of Goodland, KS, Amber Torres (Joe) of Amarillo, TX, Tyrel Duell (Sarah) of Sterling, CO, Courtney Mayo (Adam) of Kansas City, MO, and Jamie Moore (David) of Amarillo, TX, and 15 grandchildren, two sisters: Barbara Sue Calvert, and Joan Pritchard (Don), and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the Dudley Funeral Home in Waurika, OK. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist church in Waurika, OK with Bruce Humphries officiating. Graveside services will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain View, OK. Full military honors will be provided by the U.S. Air Force. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Waurika or American Bible Association.