Roger Bone

Mr. Roger Bone passed away in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on May 15, 2011 at the age of 91. A Service to Celebrate his Life will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, May 20th, at the First Presbyterian Church of Okmulgee with Reverend J. Rodgers Spencer officiating. A Committal Service will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, May 22nd, at the Antioch Christian Church Cemetery in Oconee, Georgia.

Roger Fredrick Bone, son of George Fredrick Bone and Lola Ethel Rogers Bone, was born in Bryant, Indiana, October 2, 1919. He grew up on his parents’ farm, along with his older sister, Vada Bone Leeper. An Eagle Scout, Mr. Bone attended the first U.S. Boy Scout Jamboree, held in Washington, D.C., and the fifth World Boy Scout Jamboree, held in Vogelenzang, Netherlands, in 1937.

After graduating from Purdue University in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science degree, Mr. Bone served his country in the U.S. Army reporting to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana, and enlisting as a Private in 1941. He was stationed at Camp Wheeler, Macon, Georgia for Basic Training; Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia for Infantry Officer’s Candidate School, Officer’s Cannon Course, and Officer’s Advanced Course; Camp Forrest, Tennessee, as instructor at Army Rangers School; Camp Phillips, Salina, Kansas in preparation for California/Arizona desert maneuvers; Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, for Officer’s Assault Course; and Fort Dix, Wrightstown, New Jersey, where he was assigned to the 80th Infantry Division. Mr. Bone served in the European Theater for eighteen months of combat during World War II and rose to the rank of Major. He received the Bronze Star Medal and the Croix de Guerre avec Etole d’ Argent from the French Government.

Following the war, Mr. Bone took a position with Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company, now known as Ball Corporation. Mr. and Mrs. Bone lived in Muncie, Indiana; Hillsborough, Illinois; and Millville, New Jersey while Mr. Bone assumed various positions with Ball Brothers. Mr. and Mrs. Bone arrived in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, in 1950, when Mr. Bone became production supervisor for the glass plant in Okmulgee, which was a major employer in the city. Eventually Mr. Bone became plant manager and continued in that position until his retirement in 1985.

Mr. Bone, a devoted husband and father, made many contributions to his community. They include faithful service to his church, First Presbyterian Church of Okmulgee, Board of Directors for the local Salvation Army, and Meals on Wheels. He also was a Mason, member of Jay Lodge #87, F & A.M., Portland, Indiana and Masonic York Rite Bodies, Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years Wynelle Hodges Bone of Oconee, two daughters, Connie Wynette Bone Perry and husband Greg of Clarkston, and Stefanie Michelle Bone Medack and husband James of Giddings, Texas, three grandchildren, Roger Adam Perry of Atlanta, Natalie Bone Perry of Clarkston, and Alexandra Wynelle Medack of Austin, Texas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Foundation in Okmulgee or the Goodland Academy, P. O. Box 1056, Hugo, Oklahoma 74743.

May & Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of the local arrangements. www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com