John E Story

 John Earston Story, a man of strong faith was born May 6, 1945, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Martin Ver “Bud” and Evelyn Story.  John went to heaven July 19, 2023.  Work took Bud and Evelyn, who were lifelong residents of Claremore, to Seminole, Oklahoma for a short time and returned to Claremore when John was 7.  John graduated from Claremore High School in 1963, where he was an avid baseball and football player.  While at Claremore High School he met the love of his life, Carol Collins.  Following high school he attended Oklahoma Military Academy where he continued his baseball and football career and earned his associate’s degree.  John joined his older brother Marty on the OMA baseball team and played on the OMA football team that competed for the 1964 Junior College National Championship.  He then continued his education at Tulsa University.  
On September 10, 1965 John and Carol were married in the First Presbyterian Church in Claremore and embarked on a 54 year beautiful journey together filled with love and companionship.  During the Vietnam Conflict John joined the United States Air Force in 1966.  After basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas he was stationed at Rhein-Main Air Force Base in Frankfurt, Germany.  He was an airplane mechanic and worked on multiple types of airplanes that flew in and out of Europe in support of the Vietnam War.  The story goes he had a hard time living in the barracks and if Carol came to Germany he would be allowed to live off base.  She arrived shortly and they lived in a small apartment in Waldorf.  During their three years in Germany, they traveled throughout Europe anytime they could and even slept in their Volkswagen at times.  They shared many stories about their travels and adventures together.
After John’s time in the Air Force they returned to live in Tulsa.  They were blessed with a son, Slade, in May 1970 and a daughter, Stacy, in October 1971.  John began his sales career with selling furniture at the Horn Brothers Furniture Store.  His sales career transitioned to selling insurance for Reserve National which he successfully did for the next 35 years.  With Carol having grown up on a dairy farm, John and Carol bought and operated a dairy farm in Inola, during the 70s.  In 1977 they bought a home a couple miles north of Claremore on Old Highway 88 where they raised their family and lived their remaining years together.  
John and Carol were spontaneous travelers, they could leave the house headed to town and decide it was a beautiful day for a drive and end up in Colorado!  They were devoted fans of Slade’s and Stacy’s many endeavors whether sporting events or horse shows, John and Carol were always there cheering them on.   John loved playing the piano and even though he didn’t read music, he filled their home with lasting memories from the piano.  John was a talented artist and known for his quick wit and sense of humor.  He enjoyed playing tennis, golfing and fishing; but his greatest joy came from spending time with his family, particularly his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  
John leaves behind family members who will forever miss him.  He is preceded in death by wife Carol, parents Bud and Evelyn Story and brother Marty Story.  Surviving family members are his brother Doug Story and wife Karen (O’Fallon, IL), sister-in-law Jane Story (Kansas City, MO), son Slade Story and wife Jennifer (Broken Arrow, OK), daughter Stacy Risenhoover and husband Randy (Verdigris, OK), grandchildren Cole Story and wife Tasia (Austin, TX), Joshua Story and wife Searra (Claremore, OK), Sarah Story, Noah Story, Moriah Story (Broken Arrow, OK), Kelsey McKay and husband Ethan (Verdigris, OK), Courtney Bryant and husband Chase (Verdigris, OK), McKenzie Hight and husband Dylan (Pilot Point, TX), great-grandchildren Mika, Jemma, Emersyn, Gracie, Riley, Ember, Vivian, and Kiyah, and numerous nieces and nephews.