Carl Aubrey Cawthon II

He was a sportsman, who loved the outdoors only slightly less than he loved his family and friends.Carl Aubrey Cawthon II was born on May 1, 1946, in Muskogee, OK to Virginia Estelle (Young) Cawthon, an insurance case worker, and Roy Willis Cawthon, owner and distributor of Grapette Bottling Co.He was known as Carl A. to his family and friends. Carl A. died suddenly at home on March 10, 2010. He was the oldest son of seven children: older sister Donna, twin sister Audry, Roy (Pete), John, James and Vessie. At anearly age, he was taught, by his father and uncles, how to hunt, fish, and appreciate Arkansas Razorback football. His early education was in the Muskogee Public School District where he graduated from Central HighSchool in 1964. He spent most of his teenage years working for the family business delivering Grapette and SunDrop soda, about which he recounted countless stories. Carl A. chose to continue his education completing an associates degree in business at Connors State College in Warner in 1966. He transferred to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah to work on his bachelors degree. It was here that he met his future wife, CarolynLouise Rowland, while carpooling to NSU from Muskogee. But love would have to wait for the young couple.At the height of the Vietnam War, Carl A. enlisted in the military in 1968, serving in the United States Air Force at Phan Rang Air Force Base as a supply clerk. His military career would be highlighted by being awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. While on leave from the USAF, he married his sweetheart, Carolyn, then a young school teacher, on August 12, 1969 at Assumption Catholic Church in Muskogee. After a brief honeymoon, he was off to Vietnam. He and his young wife completed his duty to his country while stationed at England Air Force Base in Alexandria, LA in 1972. They have two lovely daughters, Helene, now 30, and Marie, 26.After the Air Force, Carl A. returned to Muskogee to pursue a career in business. He worked as a computer operator for Griffin Grocery Co. for several years, later settling into a thirty-one year career with OklahomaRig and Supply Co., now known as ORS NASCO. He rose in the company ranks from being a warehouse and shipping manager to Senior Customer Care Advocate for sales and service.Carl A.'s community and volunteer service were a direct expression of his caring heart and friendly personality. He volunteered for seven years as the head coach/mentor for the Knights of Columbus boys basketball team,where he led them to repeated district championships. With the birth of his daughters, Carl A. turned his athletic talents to focus on their personal development by being an excellent role model of sportsmanshipand strategy while coaching their numerous soccer and softball teams. He was a lifetime advocate for Title 9 rights of female athletes at public institutions and an active member of the Muskogee High School SoccerClub. While on the St. Joseph Catholic School, School Board and as a member of their PTO, Carl A. worked tirelessly to raise money and food donations for the various school programs and activities. He was a memberof the Community Action Service Team at his work. Carl A. was also a charter member of the Arkansas Razorback Club of Muskogee. His interest in youth sports hit the all-time peak, while watching his grandchildrencontinue the family tradition in sports.His passion for the outdoors including hunting, fishing, gardening, playing and coaching sports and attending Razorback football home games with his daughters and grandchildren. Carl A. was famous for hosting andcooking the annual Christmas morning breakfast for his extended family and friends, filling his house with love, people and the holiday spirit. His grill was legendary for the quality of his barbecue. Carl A. was a loving husband, a committed father, a devoted grandfather, and a true friend and coworker. The lives he touched are better for having known him. All the cheering at the sports arenas will be a little quieter without him.Carl A. was preceded in death by his father, Roy Willis Cawthon, mother, Virginia Estelle (Young) Cawthon, his sister, Donna Marritt, and his brother, Roy Willis (Pete) Cawthon Jr. He is survived by his wife of forty years, Carolyn Cawthon, their oldest daughter, Helene Cawthon and granddaughter, Hannah Aubrey Cawthon and their youngest daughter, Marie (Cawthon) Hoffman and grandson, Cavin Rhyn Cawthon, and son-in-law, CaseyHoffman. Carl is also survived by his siblings, Audry Reid and her husband, Jim, of Texas, John Cawthon of Oklahoma, James Cawthon and wife, Robin, of Missouri, Vessie Cawthon of Texas and numerous relatives andfriends.The family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, March 15th at Foster-Petering Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 16th in Fosters' Ivory Chapel at Foster-Petering Funeral Home with Father Daniel Campos officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Gibson National Cemetery.Pallbearers will be Andy Cawthon, Bill Rowland, Mike Rowland, Pat Rowland, Paul Rowland, James Rowland, Clyde Moss, Casey Hoffman, Josh Jenkins, and Ernest Anguiano. Honorary pallbearers are Gene and Kyle Simeroth, Les Gibson, Cy Rowland, Parker Rowland, Drew Rowland, James Cawthon, John Cawthon, and Pat Young.Friends may wish to remember Carl A. by making memorials to St. Joseph Catholic School Endowment, 323 N. Virginia, Muskogee, OK 74403 or the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 3015 E. Skelly Dr. #221, Tulsa, OK 74105.Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.foster-petering.com