Elvin Warren Rhoten

Memorial service for Elvin Warren Rhoten will be 11 a.m., Tues., June 28, at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Tom Launius officiating. Military honors will be presented by the U.S. Army. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Mon. 1-8 p.m., and family will greet friends 6-8 p.m.
Elvin passed away Fri., June 24, 2011, at Alterra Sterling House, Claremore, at the age of 90.
The son of Jodie Thomas and Katie (Royce) Rhoten was born Oct. 11, 1920, in Buffalo, MO. His family moved to Osage County, OK, in 1923, where he grew up. He graduated in 1939 from Webb City High School, where he had been class president for all four years. He was active as a 4-H club member in raising pure bred cattle; and as a member of livestock judging teams who competed and won in Kansas City, Denver, and Chicago livestock shows.
Elvin attended Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) where he was a member in Farm House Fraternity. After three years of college he went into the U.S. Army Air Force and served in World War II from Nov. 1942 to Nov. 1945. He served in the South Pacific Theater, the Philippines, Mindanao, Luzon, New Guinea, Okinawa, and Japan. He was awarded four Bronze Service stars, the Philippine Liberation ribbon, and a World War II Victory ribbon. After three years of military service he returned to classes at Oklahoma A&M graduating in Jan. 1947, with a B.S. degree in Animal Science.
Elvin was married to Dorothy Marie Vann in Fairfax, OK, on May 26, 1946. They recently observed their 65th anniversary! Their first home after college was in Claremore where he was assistant county agent in Oklahoma Extension Service. After two years there, he supervised and taught the Veterans Agriculture program in Rogers County.
Changing positions in 1951, he went with Safeway Stores, Inc., working in Tulsa, Omaha, NE, Little Rock, AR, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, MO, and Washington, D.C.
Elvin was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Claremore, and served on the Board of Elders as well as numerous other committees.
He was preceded in death by their son, Warren Vann in 1976; his parents; sister, Mable Ward; and brother, Kenneth Rhoten.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy of the home; granddaughter, Rebecca Burchett; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of First Presbyterian Church, 102 E. 4th St., Claremore, OK 74017.