Jean E. Prothro

May 6, 1923 - April 4, 2013

Jean Elizabeth (Johnson) Prothro A Life RememberedJean was born May 6, 1923 in Wamego KS to Robert Aron and Amelia Huber Johnson both of German ancestry. She was one of eight children, brothers Charles, Lawrence, Harley, Pip, Carlton, and sisters Margaret, Blanch and Thelma. All have predeceased her except Carlton who lives in Weatherford TX.She spent most of her childhood in Wamego KS and Boise City OK. In about 1935 her family relocated to Wichita KS where her father opened a bakery. She attended public schools and graduated from North High School in 1942. During her senior year she was elected Queen of the Spring Festival.Immediately after high school she started working in the administrative offices of Kings X restaurant chain as a secretary and receptionist. This is where she met her future husband, Tink Prothro, who was a cook and manager of one of the cafes. They had a brief, whirlwind courtship and were married on September 28, 1942. Shortly thereafter Tink was called to the Army for service in World War II.Their first son, Nevlyn Oâ??Neal (Neal) was born on August 6, 1943 while Tink was serving in combat in Europe.Tink returned from WWII in September 1945, and a second son, James Edward (Eddie) followed just nine months later on June 8, 1946. Jean had often commented that whenever Tink would come home on leave from the Army, he would hang his trousers on the bed knob, and she would soon find herself with child.On February 28, 1951 she gave birth to yet another son, Mark Thomas (Fat Boy) at the Army post of Ft. Leonard Wood MO. The nurses at the post hospital knew how much she wanted a girl, so they made a small wig of curled gauze and attached a big bow dotted with tincture of methylate. But she couldnâ??t be fooled and knew it was just another ornery boy.After Tink was discharged from the Army they returned to Wichita. Soon after, Ronald Ernest was born on April 24, 1952.Tinkâ??s profession was that of a salesman which would take them to many different places, chasing the American Dream. They lived in Oklahoma City OK, Gadsden AL, Macon GA and Atlanta Ga, before returning to Wichita in 1957.A fifth son, Carroll David (Davy) was born on July 8, 1957. Davy was often cared for by older brothers Neal and Eddie. One day Jean asked Eddie to change Davyâ??s dirty diaper, and put plenty of the good smelling stuff on him, meaning baby powder. Well, the best â??good smelling stuffâ? that Eddie knew about was his Dadâ??s Old Spice after shave. Needless to say, Davy wailed for hours, Eddie was wailed by Jean, and Davy was never the same after that experience.The youngest son Craig Alan was born July 2, 1959 in Wichita. Jean finally gave up her pursuit of giving birth to at least one girl.As you can tell, Jeanâ??s life was full of snotty noses, skinned knees, cuts and bruises, and too many trips to the doctorâ??s office or hospital. All of the boys would swear that Mom Jean originated the phrase, â??Just wait til your father gets home!!?!â?It is interesting to hear her description of her life written in the annuals of her 20th Year High School Reunion in 1962: â??Busy â?? busy â?? busy â?? thatâ??s me. So many times Iâ??ve told my boys, â??High school is the happiest days of your life.â?â? At that reunion she won prizes for the most children and grandchildren.In the mid 1960s Tink, Jean and their brood moved back to Oklahoma living in OKC, Muskogee and finally settling in Tulsa. In the early 1970â??s Tink relinquished his sales career, and he and Jean took up the new profession of property management. Jean would keep the accounts and manage the office, while Tink would do the maintenance. But, she would always let you know that she was the real Apartment Manager.Jeanâ??s life was not easy by any definition, having lost four of her sons and husband, Tink, before her death. But it was filled with the love of those whom she met, especially the daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The following writing was found in her Bible:TO PARENTSâ??Iâ??ll lend you for a little time a child of mine. For you to love while he lives and mourn for when he is dead. It may be a few years, or many score, but will you, til I call him back, take care of him for me? Heâ??ll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief, youâ??ll have lovely memories as solance for your grief. I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return to me. But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn. Iâ??ve looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true, and from the throngs that crowd lifes lands I have selected you. Now will you give him all your love, not think the labor vain, nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again? I fancied that I heard you say, â??Dear Lord, Thy will be done, Iâ??ll shelter him with tenderness, and love him while I may. For the happiness Iâ??ve known, forever grateful stay. And should the angels call for him much sooner than I planned, Iâ??ll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.â?Jean passed from this life early on the morning of April 4, 2013 after a long and courageous battle with dementia and Alzheimer disease. St. Peter cast open wide the Pearly Gates for Jean to enter, and she was met there by Tink, Neal, Mark, Ronnie and Dave, as well as her parents, siblings and lifelong friends. She now resides in eternal bliss and free of all pain experienced during her life. May she ever find peace and tranquillity.THE DASHI read of a reverend who stood to speak at the funeral of his friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning to the end. He noted that first came the date of birth, And spoke of the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.For that dash represents all the time That we have spent alive on earth, And only those who love us will know what that little dash is worth. For it matters not, how much we own; The cars, the house, the cash. What matters most is how we live and love, And how we spend our dash.If we treat each other with respect And more often wear a smile, Remembering that this special dash might only last a while. So when your eulogys being read, with your lifeâ??s actions to rehash. What will be said about the way You spent your little dash?