Howard Clifton Wampler

Howard eloped with his sweetheart, Juanita Veal, on July 25, 1942.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942-1945. He was on an aircraft carrier that carried the F4U 'Corsair' in the Aleutian Islands during World War II.

Howard and Juanita soon had four children: Mike, Sally, Keith, and Greg.

He worked at and retired from Tinker Air Force Base.

Howard loved telling stories almost as much as we loved hearing them. Some of our favorites were Grandpa trying to sneak into the girls' dorm room at OU, stealing watermelons from a watermelon patch, how his mom broke his bootlegging father out of jail, hitching rides to Oklahoma City to go dancing, driving a car with only a frame, and hiding his pet rat in his pocket while at Jefferson grade school.

Howard was an excellent carpenter and fisherman. He loved listening to bluegrass, country, and swing. He and Juanita could often be found at the Senior Citizen's Center dancing together just as they did when they were in high school.

After retiring, he enjoyed hand-raising cockatiels, watching OU football, basketball, and OU Women's Softball. He took every opportunity to go fishing with his sons and grandsons.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Gussie; wife, Juanita; son-in-law, Don Austin; and daughter-in-law, Cindi Wampler.

He is survived by his two sisters, Lawana Hopkins and Judy Phillips of Tulsa; his four children, Mike (and Cindy) Wampler of Blanchard, Sally Austin of Norman, Keith (and Sue) Wampler of Blanchard, and Greg (and Abby) Wampler of Norman. Grandchildren, Michael (and Amy) Wampler, Lisa Henderson, Sam (and Lori) Wampler, Charm (and Reza) Fakhrshafaei, Lara (and Robert) Kelly, Chad Wampler, Beth Mitchell, Jeff Wampler, Sarah (and Lee) Funderburk, Katie (and David) Upton. Great grandchildren, Garrett Wampler, Max and Austin Henderson, Gage and Caleb Wampler, Kamron and Kyle Fakhrshafaei, Ryan and Lilly Kelly, Tia Mitchell, Maddie and Garen Green, Lauren and Macie Funderburk, and Carter and Ean Upton.

Funeral service for Howard will be 2:00 pm Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Primrose Funeral Service Chapel with Rev. Sam Wampler, officiating. Burial will immediately following at Norman IOOF Cemetery.

Services have been entrusted to Primrose Funeral Service. Please sign the online guestbook at www.primrosefuneralservice.com.