Verle Alton Barnes

On April 12 1929 at home in Pocassett, Oklahoma, Dosia and HF Barnes gave birth to fraternal twin sons Verle Alton and Verne Allen. At the time Verle had two older sisters named Evelyn Mae and Clarice Rae and a brother named Kenneth Francis, and 12 years later was born his baby brother named Lawrence Eugene.  Verle attended a one room country school name Beaver Creek from 1st-8th grade and finished his schooling and graduated from Tuttle High School in 1947.   Immediately after, Verle and his twin brother joined the Army and served 18 months.  For the first time the boys rode a train and later a ship.   They ultimately arrived at Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. When their term was over, they purchased a 1938 Ford car and drove themselves for 3 days and 3 nights from Washington to Oklahoma with no heater and without stopping.

After attending OSU for a short time, Verle quickly decided that he wanted to return to Tuttle to be a farmer like his Dad.  Verle knew Betty from school but they didn't date during high school because he was a senior and she was a freshman.  One day while Betty was at her friend's house, he asked her and her friend if they wanted to ride to OKC.  The friend jumped in the front seat and Betty rode in the back.  The next Sunday, he again offered a ride to OKC but Verle wanted Betty to ride in the front with him.  Four short months later he asked Betty to marry him.  They were married December 23, 1950 in a parsonage in Edmond, OK with only $150 in Verle's pocket.  They didn't have a church wedding because Betty knew her father didn't have a good cotton crop and didn't want to ask for one.

After several jobs, Verle and Betty moved to the place they lovingly call the Old Home Place, a 4 room house in the Amber area, in July of 1952.  5 months later on Verle and Betty's two-year wedding anniversary, their daughter Terri Lynn was born and 5 years later Rhonda Gail was born.

After many years of saving, in 1964 they were able to move to Tuttle and build a new brick home.  They lived in this house for 50 years.  Verle's yard was always mowed and appreciated by many.  While in Tuttle, Verle raised cattle, grew cotton and wheat, and provided a nice life for his wife and two girls.  Verle hired several young men through the years and was known to treat them well and would never ask them to do anything he wouldn't do. If Verle hadn't become a farmer, he probably would have been a dentist because he loved pulling teeth for his kids, grandkids, family and their friends too.

Verle was saved and baptized in 1956 at First Baptist Church of Tuttle.  He later was ordained as a deacon there on June 7 1970.  Verle was known to always be at church anytime the doors were open.  Verle and Betty taught Sunday School.  The young married class that they taught for 25 years were some of their happiest times of teaching and have enjoyed watching their families grow.

His daughter Terri was married in 1971 to David Henry.  They had a daughter, Angela Beth, and a son, David Brent.  His younger daughter, Gail was married in 1975 to Jerry Campbell.  They had a daughter, Crystal Gail, and sons Jesse Allen and Jeremy Scott.  Verle and Betty have 12 great grandchildren: Isabell, Justice, Austin, Alivia, Kinley, Natalie, Case, Kately, Preston, Kimberlyn, Kaileigh, and Londyn.

In 1977, Verle was elected to the Oklahoma Electric Cooperative Board of Directors for District 7 where he served for 39 years.   He was also on the Western Farmers Electric Coop for 15 years.  Verle and Betty enjoyed traveling for their meetings and taking their grandkids along as well.  They made many life-long friends during their years of service.

Verle retired from farming in 2002 and took up many hobbies including woodworking, puzzles, welding sculptures, yardwork and playing cards with friends and family.  Verle and Betty built a house in town in 2013 in Southpointe where many of their church family lives nearby.   Verle was known for being a man of his word, having integrity, serving others, and loving the Lord.