Mervyn Eugene Clarkson's Obituary
Mervyn Eugene Clarkson was born on November 27, 1942 in Sterling, Illinois to Richard and Florence (Senneff) Clarkson. He passed away peacefully at Clarehouse in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Friday, July 21, 2023 at the age of 80 after a short illness.
He was the youngest of six children and as a baby, Mervyn and his family left Illinois and moved to Tulsa. As he grew, he began school and enjoyed playing sports, in particular baseball. The family attended North Christian Church and Mervyn was baptized along with his brothers and sisters one Sunday evening.
Mervyn was a member of the first graduating class in 1960 of Nathan Hale High School. After graduating, Mervyn decided to enter the workforce. There he met a lifelong friend and was later encouraged to become a Teamster. In 1969, he began working for Consolidated Freightways as a truck driver until his retirement in 1999. He was a hard worker and did a great job earning him commendations throughout his 30 year career. Mervyn also enlisted in the Army National Guard. He served for six years before being honorably discharged. He proudly wore his US Army attire and had many friends at his favorite American Legion, Mohawk Post 308.
In the summer of 1974, Mervyn met Jane Torbit and her two girls, Rhonda and Paula at the neighborhood pool. In July of 1975, they were married. They were married for almost fifteen years and while they did not stay husband and wife, they stayed friends. As the girls grew into young adults and married, family gatherings were still all about the family. Holidays and birthday celebrations still brought Mervyn and Jane together. Rhonda always said it was the best of both worlds.
Throughout his life, Mervyn was an avid golfer and bowler. Both of which he did very well at, getting a hole in one twice as well as bowling a 300 game. He was a huge OU Sooner football fan. He watched the games on TV every Saturday or listened to them on the radio. When his daughter, Rhonda, married an OSU alum, the banter became very interesting and intense. Thankfully, his other daughter, Paula, married an OU fan!
He loved sports but he loved his family the most. He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda (Cary) Aud of Owasso, OK and son in law, Jackson Fenix of Holiday Island, Arkansas. He is also survived by a brother, Bobby (Edie) Clarkson of Wagoner, OK, and sisters Donna Moran of Tulsa, and Sandra (Bill) Hawkins of Collinsville, OK. In addition, he is survived by his beloved grandchildren, Keith (Amy) Lawson, Cody (Danielle) Lawson, and Kayla Aud and great grandchildren, Jesse, Rylie, Will and Maddie. He enjoyed watching them grow and attending all their activities. He also told them Boomer Sooner! Mervyn is also survived by many nieces, nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Florence Clarkson, brothers Arlan and Richard Clarkson, his daughter Paula Fenix and grandson Kolby Aud.
The visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, July 27th, at Floral Haven Funeral Home. The funeral service 10:00 AM, Friday, July 28th Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel with the committal service to follow at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens, Garden of Apostles.
We would like to thank everyone for their prayers, support, and love during this time. We are grateful for all of you, especially for all the doctors and nurses at St. Francis, St. Francis Hospice, Clarehouse, and The Highlands of Owasso. In addition, a heartfelt thank you to Commander Bob Coffey, American Legion Mohawk Post 308, and the Collinsville Funeral Home Honor Team.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mervyn to Clarehouse.org
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