Denver Clayton ‘Denny’ Wilbanks
Denver Clayton ‘Denny’ Wilbanks passed away in McAlester, Oklahoma on Wednesday morning, August 11, 2021, at the age of 81 years.
Denny was the son of Burl and Charlotte (South) Wilbanks, born on November 13, 1939, in Holdenville, Oklahoma. He was brought up and attended schools in Calvin, and graduated Calvin High School with the Class of 1958. He attended East Central University in Ada, and Eastern Oklahoma State in Wilburton.
He married Barbara Ann Marsh on November 23, 1963, at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Gerty, Oklahoma, where they made their home. Denny was a cattle rancher while driving a truck and delivering milk house-to-house for Colvert Dairy, and later working at the McAlester Ammunition Depot from 1965 until retiring in 1993.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting quail, deer, and turkey, and he loved taking care of his cattle. He was an active member of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent for more than thirty years. He was also a member of Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and served on the board of Oklahoma Farm Bureau.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Burl and Charlotte Wilbanks. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara, of the home; two children, son David Wilbanks (Eunyoung) of Gerty, and daughter Denise Steele (Damon) of Calvin; six grandchildren, Joshua Steele (Megan), John Steele, Jessika Steele, Elijah Wilbanks, Jae Ahn, Summer Wilbanks (Bryar Tatum); two greatgranddaughters, MacKenzie Steele and Paisley Steele; two sisters, Diane Ardolino (Frank) and Kathi Lee (Phillip); nieces and nephews, other family members, and many friends.
Funeral services were held at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 14 th , and Denny was laid to rest at Calvin Cemetery. Rev. Don Parr was the officiating minister. Pallbearers were Joshua Steele, John Steele, Jessika Steele, Elijah Wilbanks, Summer Wilbanks, and Bryar Tatum. Honorary pallbearers were Jess Ferguson, Jack Chapman, Murel Edwards, Greg Turpin, and Tom Hardwick. www.fisherfh.net