Fray Afton Taber

Graveside services for Fray Afton Taber, 87, of Cleveland will be held 2:00 pm Monday, April 21, 2008 at the Davenport Cemetery with Deke Hutchison officiating. Memorial services will be held at a later date at the American Legion Post 308 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Friends may share a memory with the family online at www.chapman-black.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Inc.

Fray was born in Gainesville, Missouri on February 23, 1921 the son of William Hiram and Emma Jane (Crisp) Taber. As a young man Fray grew up in Gainesville where he began his education. After he completed his schooling Fray began helping his family on the farm. On October 20, 1942, Fray was inducted into the service of his country at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma serving in the U.S. Army. Fray was a Private First Class with the 383 Infantry. One of the major campaigns in the Asiatic Pacific Theater that Fray served in was the Battle of Ryukyus. It was a preface for the allied forces to be in a position for the final assault and capture of Okinawa allowing forward naval bases to be established. During this time Fray was injured during combat. He received the following awards and citations for his act of heroic and meritorious achievement or service: The Purple Heart, The Bronze Star, Philippine Liberation Medal with one bronze star and a Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge on January 12, 1946, from the U.S. Army, Fray returned to Chandler, Oklahoma. On February 2, 1946 he was united in marriage to Faye Hutchison in Chandler and to this union there are nine children.

Fray worked in the plumbing and electrical business for many years. He worked for the following companies; Cash Plumbing in Broken Arrow, Bean Plumbing in Broken Arrow, Charlie Bruce Electric in Mannford for over 10 years as well as for Kingwood Oil Company. On June 28, 1986, Fray was united in marriage to Annie Bean in Catoosa, Oklahoma. During this marriage they raised six step children. Mr. Taber's last place of employment was at ITT Continental Bakery known as the Wonder Bread plant in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he was the Sanitation Forman at his retirement.

Mr. Taber enjoyed traveling to the VFW, American Legion and Moose Lodges in the area where his children would often entertain the local patrons with music. Fray himself played guitar, harmonica, fiddle, piano and loved making music and dancing. He often stated that "he was going to grow up with his kids but, he grew up with grandchildren." One accomplishment that Fray often spoke about was returning back to school to obtain his GED in 2001 at the age of 81.

Fray passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at age 87 with his family by his side in Cleveland, Oklahoma. In addition to his parents Fray was preceded in death by his wife Annie Ellen (Bean) Taber, one son Chuck, three step sons Tommy, Walter and Gene, five sisters Mandy, Sarah, Margaret, Arkie and Stella; three brothers Larkin, Charles and Bill; four grandchildren Tracey, Jeryn, John John, and Brian.

Survivors are his children Nita, Butch, Kay and her husband Bill, Chuck's wife Ann, Dorthy and her fianc Leonard, Freda, Debbie and her husband Danny, Les and his wife Lorita, Ken and his wife Kim, Steve and his wife Esther, and Bill and his wife Sondra; sixty nine grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.