WARKENTINE, HARRISON L.
Harrison Leroy Warkentin was born November 25, 1924 in Homestead, Oklahoma to Arthur and Anna (Baker) Warkentin and died at his home in Fairview on September 27, 1998 at the age of 73 years.
He lived in Enid most of his life. Harrison was a veteran of WWII. He was proud to have served his country and community. He left Enid High School and entered the U.S. Marines on January 14, 1943. Private First Class H. L. Warkentin was with a Raider battalion participating in the Bougainville campaign and the occupation of Emirau Island. On July 27, 1944 at Guam Island, Japanese mortar fragments exploded into his neck and shoulder. Harry kept on firing his machine gun until he was struck in the jaw by a bullet. Even then he managed to make his own way back to the rear. For this he received a Purple Heart and after a “short” healing vacation, was back in the fray.
After returning from the war, he married Mary Catherine Garver and raised four children. Harry gave to his country, and he gave to his community in Enid, Oklahoma. A Sergeant at Arms in the Jaycees, a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scout Troop 9, besides coaching the Police Athletic League. He was a former member of the First United Methodist Church in Enid and an active member of the VFW.
In 1964 he relocated from Enid to Houston, Texas where he worked for Fairbanks Morse, where he went to work in the construction of scale pits until he retired. He moved to Fairview in 1995.
He is survived by three sons. Dennis L. Warkentin of East Windsor, New Jersey, Michael A. Warkentin of Memphis, Tennessee and Harrison L. Warkentin Jr. Of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Susan Baker of Tomball, Texas; his stepmother Ruth Warkentin of Fairview; one stepbrother, James Warkentin of Fairview; one half brother, Clinton Wilt of Kansas; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather.
Services: 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 1, 1998, Fairview Funeral Home Chapel, Fairview, Oklahoma
Interment: 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 7, 1998, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
Arrangements: By Fairview Funeral Home, Chuck Obermiller