Ewell Alfred Booth

Ewell A. Booth, 88, of Eufaula, passed away on August 7, 2014 at his home in Eufaula, Oklahoma following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer"s. Ewell was preceded in death by his parents, Elmo and Lillie Booth; wife, Bette Johnson Booth; brother, William Booth; and sisters: Dotty Bryant, Juanita Fanselau, and Thelma Hill. Ewell is survived by his wife, Bonnie; children: Barbara Booth Ryan and husband, Pat; Patricia Booth Reimer and husband, Bill; Ron Booth and wife, B.J.; step children: Mike Andrews and wife, Donna; Kelly Andrews Craig and husband, Chuck; ten grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ewell was born on August 26, 1925 in Olustee, Texas to Elmo and Lillie Booth. The family remained in Texas until 1940 when they relocated to Oklahoma City. After graduating from Capitol Hill High School in 1942, Ewell and his family struck out for a brand new community, Midwest City, and moved into the sixth house that was constructed there. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Ewell enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a bombardier in the Philippines during World War II. Although he maintained an interest in all things mechanical, short wave radio, Morse code, and aviation, it was difficult to get him on a boat that was larger than his 16 foot Hobie cat. At the conclusion of the war, he returned home and met a young girl still in high school who worked as a "soda jerk" at the local Tubbs' drugstore. Ewell and Bette Johnson married shortly after her graduation and they began their lives together in Midwest City, a marriage that lasted 47 years. Ewell worked as a manager in procurement at Tinker Air Force Base until his retirement in 1980, while Bette owned and operated Lola"s Beauty Salon. They raised their three children in the same house on Oelke Drive. Ewell and Bette moved to Lake Eufaula the day after his retirement. There he loved to fish, golf, sail, ski, dance, and generally putter. He rarely sat down for more than a few moments at a time. He loved the lake and elected to stay there after Bette"s death in 1995. Ewell loved it even more when he found someone with whom he could again share his life. In November 1998, he married his best friend, favorite dance partner and true love, Bonnie Andrews. They experienced their years together as only retired people can do. They travelled every chance they got, spent winters on Padre Island, Texas, attended every family wedding from coast to coast, and spent as much time as remained with family and friends. Ewell enjoyed God"s promise of an abundant life. He will be forever remembered, forever loved, forever missed.