Franklin Ovean Barnett

Franklin Ovean Barnett, 85, of Eufaula, succumbed to cancer at home surrounded by his family on May 23, 2017. Ovean was born on June 12, 1931 to Omer Vean and Virginia Powell Barnett. Ovean, at the age of 15, became a member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, where he completed Ordinance Auto School, Diesel Vehicle Automotive Mechanic School, and Infantry School- NCO Development. He, along with other young men of Eufaula, were mobilized into the 45th Thunderbird Division and deployed to combat action in Korea on September 1, 1950. He earned several medals including Japan Army Occupation Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Bronze Service Star and Oklahoma Guardsman Medal. After being honorably discharged on July 1, 1952, as Corporal NGUS Co. "M" 180th Infantry, he went to work for Western Electric, and then in 1960 he worked on the Atlas Missile Sites in Kansas, Missouri, & New York while working for ITT Kellogg. Collins Radio in Iowa came next, then finally back to Oklahoma where he worked at a gas station in Muskogee, Arrowhead and Fountainhead State Parks and then with North American in McAlester where he received Apollo II's Achievement Award. In 1971, he re-enlisted with the Oklahoma National Guard, in communications and went to work at Camp Gruber, where he worked as a tank mechanic. He received the 45th Infantry Brigade Commendation in 1986. and retired from the Oklahoma National Guard and Camp Gruber on June 12, 1991, as SGT 1st Class Troop E 145 Calvary. Ovean was a 32nd Degree Mason, member of the Eufaula Masonic Lodge #1, and VFW Post # 8798 Eufaula, Oklahoma. He loved hunting, fishing, and working in his garden. Ovean leaves behind his beloved wife of 60 years, Bonnie Newton Barnett; daughter, Julie Duncan and husband, Johnny; cousin, Buddy and Betty Chitwood; five grandchildren: Shane Duncan, Shanna and Eric Enlow, Justina and Greg Redwine, Maekisha and Heath Garner, Jon-Ovean and Haley Duncan; nine great grandchildren with one on the way; and a host of life-long friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Ovean Barnett, great grandson, Caleb Enlow; sisters: Neoma Waller and Leona Huffaker; and friends, JM Bailey and Carrel Johnson.