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Funeral service for Wade Jack Vardeman III, 69 of Lawton, Oklahoma will be held at Centenary Methodist Church on Thursday, May 23rd at 2 p.m. with Associate Pastor Keith King of St. Luke’s, Oklahoma City officiating.
The interment will conclude the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Wade Jack Vardeman III, 69 of Lawton, OK passed away May 18, 2019 at his home.
The family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home.
Jack was born on May 13, 1950 in Tulsa, OK to Wade J. and Rosalie Vardeman. Growing up, he lived in many places with his family including Germany, Panama and Georgia. He graduated from Lawton High School in 1969. Jack married Catherine Cooper on April 9, 1971. They had three children and were married for 26 years. He was a loan officer for Security Bank and Trust Company and received an Associate’s Degree in Banking from Louisiana State University. After 16 years in the banking business, he purchased D&R Auto Salvage and Recycling serving as owner/operator for more than 30 years. Jack was a car enthusiast. He built and raced many unique cars over the years. He enjoyed drag racing both as a driver and spectator. He also enjoyed dirt track and boat racing events. He loved fishing, spending time with friends and listening to music.
Survivors include his former spouse, Catherine Lemming of Moore, OK; his love and companion, Sarah Crapps of Midland, GA; children, Aimee Vardeman Berry (Zack) of Lawton, Sam Vardeman of Oklahoma City, Amanda Vardeman Thomas (Travis) of Euless, TX; grandchildren, Brooke Parker, of Norman, ZJ Berry of Lawton, Evie Thomas of Euless, and Berklee Berry of Lawton; brothers, Robert Vardeman (Diana) of Wichita Falls, TX, Danny Vardeman (Darla) of Lawton; many nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of Jack’s love of animals, contributions can be made to the Lawton Humane Society. www.lawtonhumanesociety.org
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Steve Hammack (1968)
Jack
My best friend since 7th grade. Best man in my wedding in 1972 to my 1st wife Linda (still married). Did we ever have some good times. 7th grade I was your election committee(the only member - your speech to the 7th grade class started out "A students, B students, C students ....... and friends" broke everyone up laughing. Well we didn't win but it was fun. Drank my first beer with you in 67. Fished with you and your Dad, Wade, (my 2nd Dad). Never left your house hungry as your Mom always thought I need something to eat. Fishing the Uchee creek with your dad was always the highlight of my week. You left for your SR year but returned for one last celebration in July 68, then we rode the Greyhound for 24 + hours back to Lawton for more parties and then me on to Texas Tech for school. Lots of visits the next four years and some I don't remember much about except the time we were in a back alley bar. Heard gun shots in the adjoining bar. What a ride that night was.
Well, great times for the next many years. Lots of visits back to Lawton. Lots of memories. Lots of beer consumed as well.
Will miss you very very much. Say hello to Walt and the others up there. Keep us safe as you can as you watch over us. See ya in 20 years or so
B F F
Steve
Sarah Hilburn (Crapps) (1970)
Jack was my first sweetheart, when I was 15 years old, in the 9th grade at Baker. We both were new at Baker, he made the school transition so much easier. I can still remember the day he finally got up the nerve to introduce himself. That initial comment, well I'll keep it to myself. But, if you knew Jack, it was typical of him. Yes, we both had our different lives, marriages & families. But I've always heard you never forget your first love. We had not seen or heard from each other in 50 years, and reconnected, through this site, and found each other again. Our time was cut short, but it was very sweet, kind and special.
Jack was a generous, kind, loving person, and always the gentleman. I'm sure there are those among us that can't/won't understand this post, but Jack helped me through my dreadful lost, I would go so far as to say he saved me. It was my honor to be the one that he chose to be by his side, during his illness and when he said so long to this world. He will forever be in my heart.
I was told by his best friend in Oklahoma, that Jack stated " I was the one he never forgot, never got over and was always in his heart". I will say good-bye now and ask you to keep a close watch on us down here, till we meet again.
Then, Now & Forever
Your Love Sarah
Alan Watts (1971)
In 1967, Jack drove his brother Robert and I to register as Freshman at Baker in a 1963 red Chevrolet Impala SS and if I am not mistaken, it was a convertible.Some memories, you will never forget.