Henry Stratton

Doug Stratton was born March 5, 1934 to Cecil and Dollie (Carlile) Stratton in Cushing, Oklahoma. He departed this life on May 6, 2015 at his home in Cookson, Oklahoma. Doug had reached the age of 81 years, 2 months and 1 day. Doug graduated from Central High School in 1951. Shortly after graduating, while working on a pipe line doug met Ruth Ross in Elkhart, Kansas, in a small diner. They were married on March 25, 1955 and began their over 59 year marriage. Doug and Ruth raised 4 boys, Dennis, Darrell, Danny and Darin, and 1 daughter Diane.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Ruth Stratton, his brothers Duard Stratton and Cecil E. Stratton; his sisters Marie Morgan, Phyllis Skidmore, and Vera Sue Dunn and 1 great-great grandson Jesco Stratton.

He is survived by a loving family which includes his children Dennis Stratton and wife Jackie, Darrell Stratton and wife Judy, Danny Stratton all of Cookson, Diane Rickey and husband Rod of Tahlequah, and Darrin Stratton and wife Jennifer of Cookson; his sister Peggy Coop and husband Bob of Cookson; 11 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives also survive him.

Doug was the manager of Warehouse Market in Tulsa, Oklahoma until 1970. Moving the family to Cookson, they bought the McCullom's grocery store next to the sale barn in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He ran Stratton's Grocery until retiring. Later in life Doug mixed mud for his boys in their masonry business truly making it a family affair.

Doug enjoyed hunting, fishing, and attending music shows. Silver Dollar City was a special place for Doug and Ruth. He loved playing music with his family and friends. Holidays were even more special when he, Skid and Mike would pick up their instruments. The sounds of a fiddle and guitar will always mean home. Even a trip to the Cookson Store could lead to an evening of picking and grinning. That music provided the soundtrack for a wonderful life and those memories of the good old days keep all of us going from time to time.

In later years he liked nothing better than to watch his grandkid's or great grandkid's ballgames. His eyes danced with excitement and he got about 2 inches taller when he walked to the stands. His love, pride and joy were all wrapped around those generations who came along when he could stop a minute and enjoy their lives.

His love for the outdoors kept him busy gardening and raising chickens. Both of which he gladly shared. Even his mornings at the breakfast table were occupied by noting and watching the birds that migrated through his backyard.

Doug was a craftsman by carving or turning the ordinary piece of wood into an extraordinary work of art. When ask how he created such realistic pieces, he said he could see what was in there; he just had to take away all the extra layers until it was there. Once he did that, he was left with what he had seen all along. It was uncommon to go to his house and not leave without one of his treasures.

Every era of his life revealed a layer that was part of Doug. When it came time for him to go he was ready to meet his creator and be revealed as what God had seen all along.

Visitation

Hart Funeral Home
1506 N. Grand Ave
Tahlequah, OK  74464
Monday, May 11, 2015
8:00 am -8:00 pm

Service

Hart Funeral
1506 N. Grand Ave.
Tahlequah, OK  74464
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
3:00 pm

Cemetery

Cookson Proctor Cemetery
20862 W. Cookson Bend
Cookson, OK  74427