Submitted by
Karen Stewart

Lonnie Edwin Atnip Jr.

BLACKWELL — Lonnie Edwin Atnip Jr. of Blackwell, died Friday morning, March 9, 2001, in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. He was 76.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at the First Free Will Baptist Church with the Revs. Kevin and Wayne Bookout officiating. A flag presentation will be given by the Blackwell American Legion and the VFW. Masonic Rites will be performed by the Blackwell Chikaskia Lodge No. 109.

Burial will follow at the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home of Blackwell.

Lonnie Edwin Atnip, Jr. was born June 14, 1924, in Bonham, Texas, the son of Lonnie Edwin and Virginia Eloise (Reid) Atnip Sr. He grew up in Alabama and Georgia and at the age of 14 returned to Bonham with his family. During his school years in Bonham he was employed at the cotton mill. He remained there until he entering the US Army during World War II. He served as a paratrooper in the Philippine Islands, the Lizon Islands and the Battle of Lehti Gulf. Following his discharge he returned to Bonham and began his employment with the Texas-Pacific Railroad. In 1949 he moved to Enid and the Frisco Railroad. In 1958 he was transferred to Blackwell where he continued with the railroad. He married Ona Irene Buesing on Nov. 13, 1959, in Blackwell, where they made their home In 1974 he joined the Frisco-Burlington Northern Railroad in Enid where he remained until his retirement in 1985.

He was a lifetime member of the Blackwell American Legion and the VFW. He was a past master of the Chikaskia Lodge No.109 and a past worthy patron of the Tonkawa Order of the Eastern Star. He was a member of the Paratroopers Association, the Kay County Shriners, the Akdar Shrine and he held a 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite in Guthrie. He was also a member of the Blackwell Lions Club and the First Free Will Baptist Church of Blackwell.

His survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Clayton Atnip of Omaha, Neb.; three sisters, Lyda Nichols and Edna Collins of Bonham, Texas, and Betty Ann McSpedden of Carrollton, Texas; one brother, Charles Atnip of Leonard, Texas; one grandchild, Tyler Rene Atnip of Ponca City; and numerous nieces, nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Raymond Atnip.

Casket bearers will be David Nash, Charles Inmon, Max Ebert, Garry Gibson, W. E. "Gene" Phillips, R.V.Wagner, and DeWayne Stafford.

Honorary casket bearers will be members of the Masonic Orders and the Blackwell Civic and Service organizations.

Memorial contributions to the Chikaskia Lodge No. 109 can be made in care of the Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 West Paden, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.