Jimmie Lee Marston, 83, passed away Monday March 4, 2024 at his home in Ponca City surrounded by his wife and daughter.

Jimmie was born December 10, 1940 to Marion Lucius Marston and Goldie Audrey Vaughn Marston in Woodward, Oklahoma. Jimmie grew up in Woodward until the April 9, 1947 tornado when his mother and two sisters were killed. Jimmie went to school there Kindergarten and first grade. He moved to Springfield, Missouri in 1948 where he attended school second through twelfth grade.

Jimmie met his wife Merlene Kay Pierson in December 1960 in Woodward, Oklahoma. They were married there March 3, 1962 in the United Evangelical Brethren Church with the Reverend F. L. Nance officiating. Jimmie and Merlene were married 62 years together. They have three children: four grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond and his graduate degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Jimmie joined the United States Army after graduation and served for twenty years. Jimmie was stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Stuttgart, Landstuhl, and Heideleberg, Germany, Columbus, Georgia, Vietnam from July 1965 until July 1966, El Paso and San Antonio, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. After retiring from the Army, Jimmie worked as the Detentions Counseling Supervisor for Jefferson County in Golden, Colorado, from 1981 until he retired in 2005. In August 2007 he moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma to be closer to extended family. While in Ponca City he worked for Northern Oklahoma Youth Services from February 2009 to February 2014. Jimmie was an adjunct professor at numerous colleges and universities in Texas, Germany, Colorado, and Oklahoma for many years.

Jimmie loved collecting and repairing antique watches and clocks; attending Vietnam Veterans Meetings in Denver, Colorado and Chapter #750 in Ponca City, Oklahoma and marching in the parades; going to antique stores and flea markets; traveling throughout Europe and the United States; spending time with his family; and he loved joking and laughing with family and friends.

Jimmie is survived by his wife Merlene and daughter Mindi of the home, son Jeffrey and wife Sandy, Glenpool, Oklahoma, son Monte and wife Nancy of Bushland, Texas, grandchildren Kristen Marston of West Hollywood, California, Thomas Seekins of Denver, Colorado, Miranda and husband Chase Farmer of Huntsville, Alabama, Mikayla and husband Sam Eilers of Clarendon, Texas; great grandchildren Asher Declan, Torin Slate, and Serin Onyx Farmer, Huntsville, Alabama; Alice Azalea, Aeric Finnan, and Aurelia Kalina Eilers of Clarendon, Texas and his brother Vernon Marston of Loveland, Colorado. Jimmie was predeceased by parents Marion and Goldie, brothers Glen, Harold, Calvin, Billy, and Donald; sisters Lois, Velma, Betty, Arletta and Darla Ann.

Memorial service to be held Saturday, March 9, at 10 am at Billings Funeral Home in Woodward, Oklahoma. Graveside service to follow at Elmwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Monte Marston, Jeff Marston, Tim Marston, Matt Marston, J.R. Marston and Adam Steuart.

Paid Obituary