Zara Kathleen Fulton

1940 - 2016

Zara Kathleen (Campbell) Fulton, passed peacefully to the other side of life 30 October 2016.  A tough lady, with no fear, she beat breast and lung cancer, but lost a prolonged, valiant fight to the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease.  She was born to Beatrice (Johnson) and William David Campbell in Claremore, Oklahoma 26 April 1940.  The family later moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where she grew up, attending Stillwater schools all 12 years, graduating in 1958.

That summer, she met her future husband, Charles Floyd Fulton, on a sort of blind date arranged by her through a friend.  Quickly becoming best of friends, their dating led to their marriage 24 November 1959 while both were attending Oklahoma State University.  Always involved in sports, she was a high school cheerleader, and member of the Oklahoma State women’s basketball, field hockey and swim and dive teams.  Also, as avid water skier, she declined an invite to join the renowned Cypress Gardens Ski Troupe.

Giving up college, she because a full time house wife, raising kids, and being an exemplary, common sense, down to earth, Army Officers wife.  As such, she was a very successful mentor to many younger wives through 20 plus years. 

With the kids in school, she launched a very successful real estate career in Texas, Illinois, and Missouri.  Later, she worked for Tracker Marine, becoming their unquestioned parts expert at their Nitro Bass Boat plant. 

After her military travels, she was also the fun loving, backbone of their family campground, which they built themselves, sweat, blisters, etc.  A lover of animals, she had ducks, geese, sheep, goats, and pigs, all spoiled pets.  In addition to their camper’s enjoyment, folks came from miles around to see, pet and enjoy.  Interesting to note that a few had never seen or touched a live pig!

Throughout her working years, she enjoyed camping, boating and fishing at every chance.  After her retirement and sale of their campground, she enjoyed their travels in their small motorhome and then 5th wheel trailer.  She (they) fell in love with Port O Connor, Texas, a small end of road, laid back town of inshore and offshore fishing renown.  They quickly took a yearly RV spot, spending part of summers and winters, catching small and big fish, both inshore and offshore.  Her favorites were sheepshead and red snapper.  Belatedly, they designed and built their barnominum, which housed their boat, RV and living quarters.  It was about this time that the dreaded Alzheimer’s had advanced to the point of preventing her from being actively involved in the fishing, etc.

Of course, she thoroughly enjoyed the grandkids and later great-grandkids, doing all the grandparent things etc.  In addition, to their being able to be campground participants, although not good at riding the giant pet pig, they were able to free roam about the 40 acre homestead, doing all the kid stuff and plus, with her direct involvement, instigation, etc. 

She was fortunate to have been visibly involved in the kids Texas fishing adventures, both in and offshore fishing, and trapping blue crabs, to include their getting the not nice pincher treatment, all to her immense enjoyment.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Ruth Campbell Erbar, and one brother, David B. Campbell.

She is survived by her husband Charles, of 57 years of marriage, (minus 2 for Vietnam tours), Sons, Charles G., of Tulsa, OK, and Robert S. Fulton, of Mayflower, AR, and an estranged daughter, Zara E. Tirrell.  Granddaughters, Jessica Fulton Squirrel, Farrell Fulton Wilson, Lexi Fulton, and Trey Koen, along with five great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Needless to say she, with her strength, quick wit and smiles, will be sorely missed but will live forever in our hearts as a devoted, fun loving lady and mother, who brought joy to all!

She desired to have no services.  A guestbook is available online at www.reserfuneralhome.com.