Wayne Arnold Warthen

1931 - 2026

Dec 19, 1931 - Mar 16, 2026

It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of Wayne Arnold Warthen, who passed away on March 16, 2026. He was born December 19, 1931 in Rubottom, OK to Guy Gordon Warten and Rena Belle Chitwood, Wayne was the first surviving child, after their first two children, Jaunita Louise and Betty Jean, died in infancy. Though he was born in his mother's seventh month of pregnancy, he was a true survivor who lived an amazing life through the years that followed, until his death at the age of 94.

Wayne spent his early years in Love County, OK, Indiana, Illinois and New Mexico, as the family moved for employment and family necessities. At the age of 12, Wayne's first job was as a "soda jerk" at Kelly Drugstore in Marietta. In Alamagordo, NM, he later worked at a gas station and as a lifeguard. He got his driver's license there at the age of 14 and was soon driving a Harley. The family moved back to Walters, OK, then to Ringling, where his folks opened the Warthen Grocery and Gas Station.

Wayne entered the U.S. Navy Air Corps in 1951 and was stationed at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi, TX, and then, in Hawaii. While in the service, Wayne married Jacqueline Baird, in 1952, when he became the father of Andy Ward and Sherry Reed. Wayne and Jackie, subsequently, welcomed their son, Gary Gene, to complete the family.

After his release from the Navy, Wayne provided for the family with a multitude of jobs. He sold insurance, animal feed and family Bibles. He worked for a Geophysical Survey company, detonating and recording the subsurface to identify promising oil drilling areas.

Wayne was called to ministry in 1956, was ordained and served at least three Missionary Baptist Churches in Western OK, KS and the Ardmore area. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. Through the years, he continued to officiate at family weddings and lead prayers at family gatherings.

Wayne began a dedicated career in law enforcement, first, as a Officer with the Ardmore Police Department for 5 years. He attended the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, VA, and subsequently, was hired as an Investigator for the District Attorney's office, where he served for 12 years. During that period, Wayne flew his own plane to the University of CA at Davis, CA.to attend training on the analysis of illegal drugs, which enabled him to testify successfully on drug cases brought forward by the D.A.'s office.

And, real life morphed into the movies, when Wayne made his acting debut in the movie, "Dillinger," filmed around Ardmore in 1973. He portrayed an FBI Agent, as did his son, Gary. Unfortunately, that was the end of their brief movie career.

Wayne completed his law enforcement career with positions in the OK Department of Motor Vehicles, Tax Commission, Weigh Stations, for another 22 years. While his employment kept him busy, he made time to start his own company, SPS (Security Patrol Systems), which provided security at businesses throughout Central, Eastern and Southeastern OK, including what was then, Noble Foundation. He continued operating the business into retirement.

As an avid aviation buff, Wayne was a private pilot of personal aircraft, including planes and helicopters. He also operated a successful aircraft sales and repair business for many years. He could be found almost every day at his hangar at Ardmore Executive Airport, where family and friends of aviation, including his special buddy, Joe Lichfield, would congregate. The hangar was also the place where, over the years, he used his mechanical skills to restore old cars, trucks and, even, an old Ford tractor.

Wayne's heart was always with his Church community, especially, in his later years, at the Blue Ribbon Missionary Baptist Church of Lone Grove, where he had served as assistant Pastor, and always had willing hands and hammers to help make it a beautiful house of worship. Wayne certainly left this world a better place, after a lifetime dedicated to service, caring about family, and spreading the Word.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Rena; his wife, Jackie; his son, Gary Gene; and his younger brothers, Charles Lee and Billy Marvin Warthen.

Wayne is survived by his son, Andy Ward; daughter, Sherry Reed Johnson; son-in-law, Kendall Johnson; sister, Barbara Wallace (Homer) of Bedford, TX; brother, Ray Warthen (Pat Ziobro) of Bethel Island, CA; and his sister-in-law and gracious caretaker in later years, Janice Warthen-Shockey. Paw-Paw Wayne leaves a legacy of four grandchildren, Jason and Aaron Johnson, Tamera Ward and Sara Ward Tate, and twelve beautiful great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Services are in the care of Alexander Gray Funeral Home. Funeral Services, with Chuck McElroy and Aaron Heflin officiating will take place Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. at Blue Ribbon Missionary Baptist Church, 971 Blue Ribbon Road, Lone Grove, OK 73443 with burial following at Ringling Memorial Cemetery.