John D. Marston

John D Marston, 82 year old Woodward businessman, died Thursday, September 18, 2008 in Grace Living Center. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2008 in the Fifth Street Church of Christ with Ray Don Jackson officiating. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home. John D Lucious Marston was born March 17, 1926 in Woodward; he was the son of Milton Blair and Opal Viola (Wager) Marston. He was reared in Woodward and attended Woodward schools. John D left high school to enroll in the United States Navy and served during World War II on the Destroyer, the USS Aaron Ward. While in service, he received the Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and the American Campaign Medal and received an honorable discharge on the first day of June in 1946. John D worked with the Woodward Police while his dad was sheriff. He also worked out of the back of his house tooling leather and making boots for fellow officers. He started John D‚s Saddlery in 1946. On August 5, 1950, he was married to Bobbie Marie Griffis in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They made their home in Woodward. To this union, two children were born, Justin and Temple. John D continued to operate his store, farm and ranch and real estate investments. John D was very proud of his family. According to Tony Lama, John D‚s was one of the oldest privately owned western store in the United States. John D was a member of the Masonic Lodge #189 and the Woodward Elks Lodge. Survivors include two sons, Justin Marston and wife Connie of Houston, Texas; Temple Marston and wife Lynne of Woodward; six grandchildren, Jonathan Marston of Houston; Kaylee Marston of Houston; James Mistrot, Lauren Mistrot, Taylor Marston and Shelby Marston all of Woodward; two sisters, Breaveda Jividen and husband Hubert of Woodward; Marietta Ticer of Fayetteville, Arkansas; several other nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Bobbie. Remembrances may be made at www.billingsfuneralhomewoodward.com