Tony Buster Booth

Tony Buster Booth passed away at the age of 91 on May 1st, 2024. He died peacefully at his home overlooking the Neosho River in rural Fairland, Oklahoma. Tony was born on July 23,1932 in Miami, Oklahoma to Ed and Lois Booth. He grew up in Miami and graduated from Miami High School in 1950. Tony joined the Marine Corps and was stationed in San Diego, California. During his overseas deployment, he fought in Korea as an artillery Sargent in the Korean conflict. He would later be commended and awarded citations for good conduct, combat and firearms. Later in life he would say the military had a profound influence in his life that gave him structure, discipline and responsibility. Throughout his life, Tony had an undying patriotic spirit and devotion to his country and the military.
While in Southern California he would meet his wife and lifelong partner Barbara by chance at an Arthur Murray dance hall. They married in Hollywood, California in 1953 and returned to Oklahoma after his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps. He briefly attended Northeastern Oklahoma College then transferred to the University of Oklahoma to attend the College of Pharmacy. After his graduation they moved to California where his career as a Pharmacist and small business owner flourished, as did their family. Over their 68 years of marriage, they raised six children and had 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Tony was highly involved in his community, assuming various leadership roles in service-oriented organizations all while raising a large family and successfully running his small family-owned drug stores in McCloud and Fall River Mills, California. He served on School Boards, Community Service Board of Directors, County Health Planning Commissions. He also served as a Reserve Deputy Sherriff for Eastern Shasta County Flying Posse, as President of Chamber of Commerce, as President Lions Clubs, as Post Commander of American Legion and as Commandant of the Marine Corps League. Tony was awarded the Elks Distinguished Citizenship award, served eight years on Business Committee with the Shawnee Tribe.
While Tony was mostly all business and no nonsense in his career, he was also fun loving and had an infectious sense of humor. Tony was very charismatic and inspirational to his family and everyone he met.
Tony was preceded in death by parents Ed Booth and Lois Grancha, his beloved wife Barbara; a son, Jim Booth; granddaughter, Cierra Yates, baby grandson Charles, his brother, Paul Booth.
Those who will share Tony's legacy are his children: Michael Booth (Chris), Bill Booth (Penny), Tena Booth, Terri Calvin (Todd) and Mya Liberty; his grandchildren: Aaron Booth, Brandy Booth-Long, Melinda Brenes, Nathan Booth, Troy Booth, Zac Booth, Haley Booth, Sarah Smith, Bethany Birkenbuel and Amy Francis. Also surviving are his great grandchildren: Morgan Booth, William Long, Owen Yates, Gracie Yates, Joseph Yates, Adrian Brenes, Isaac Brenes, Lucas Booth, Daniel Booth, Mackenzie Booth, Brooklyn Knox, Kaylin Knox, Sophia Francis, Lincoln Francis and Vivian Birkenbuel.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2pm at Brown-Winters chapel in Miami, Oklahoma. The family suggests donations to the Marine Corps League Clevenger Detachment #1355 Miami or The Boys and Girls Club of Fairland as an alternative to flowers. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mr. Booth's tribute page at www.brown-winters.com