Paradise Cemetery
Payne County, Oklahoma

Vernon Odell Boyce
March 2, 1928 ~ June 22, 2009

Funeral services for Vernon O. Boyce, 81, of Perkins are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Thursday, June 25, 2009 at River of Life Church with Pastor Don Russell officiating. Burial will follow in Paradise Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Stillwater.

Mr. Boyce was born March 2, 1928 in Coyle, OK to Ora and Amber [Stewart] Boyce. He grew up and attended schools in Coyle and graduated from Coyle High School.

After graduation, he joined the United States Army where he was trained as a paratrooper. He was on order to go to war several times, but he never had to go.

Vernon married Nona Marie Nottingham on March 27, 1948 in Ponca City, OK.

He loved people, music, auctions, reading, watching COPS, and visiting with his grandchildren and friends. During his lifetime he had many jobs. He was a police officer and a milkman. He also owned a couple of grocery stores in Coyle.

Vernon passed from this life Monday, June 22, 2009 in Stillwater, surrounded by his loving family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Curtis; two sisters, Ova Lee and Veryl; and numerous friends.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marie of Perkins; one son, Randall Bear Boyce and wife, Frieta of Coyle; one daughter, Denise Lowery and husband, Scott of Stillwater; one brother, Olys Boyce of Coyle; one sister, Esther Nottingham; five grandchildren, Amber, Tara, Tyler, Stacey and husband Dusty, and Justin; three great grandchildren, D.D., Gabriell, and Landon; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Memorial donations may be made in Vernons name to Judith Karman Hospice 915 S. Main Stillwater, OK 74074.

Condolences may be sent using our online guestbook at www.pmcfh.com

Nona Marie [Nottingham] Boyce
January 7, 1931 ~ March 20, 2010

Nona Marie Boyce, age 79, of Perkins went to her new home in Heaven early Saturday morning, March 20, 2010 at the Stillwater Medical Center. Her funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater and were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday March 23, 2010 at the River of Life Church with Pastor Don Russell officiating. Interment followed in the Paradise Cemetery at Coyle.

Nona Marie was born on January 7, 1931 in Stillwater and was the daughter of George William and Laura [Majors] Nottingham. She grew up southwest of Stillwater and attended Elm Grove Schools. On March 27, 1948, she was united in marriage to Vernon Odell Boyce in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He preceded her in death on June 22, 2009.

While her husband was serving in the military they lived in various places before they returned to the Coyle area. They moved to Perkins from the Coyle area in 1996. During her lifetime, she and her husband operated Boyce Grocery, Blue Jacket Cafe Cimarron Market and Deli and 3B Trucking. She was a member of the Perkins Assembly of God Church. During her lifetime, Marie loved attending church and was active in different churches. Some of the positions she held was Sunday School Teacher, Children's Church Leader, WM President. She enjoyed gardening, feeding birds, spending time with her family. She also enjoyed singing with her brother, quilting and canning.

She is survived by a son, Randall Boyce and wife Frieta of Coyle; a daughter, Denise Lowery and husband Scott of Stillwater; a brother, Glen Nottingham and wife Esther of Stillwater, five grandchildren, Amber Holland and husband Aaron, Stacey Harkins and husband Dusty, Tara Boyce, Justin Lowery and Tyler Boyce; three great grandchildren, Landon, D. D. and Gabriel; and numerous extended family members and friends.

Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents, a son Curtis and two brothers, Lewis and Lyle.

Randall O'Dell "Bear" Boyce
July 12, 1953 ~ May 29, 2014

Randall was born at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina in an Army hospital at a whopping weight of 10 lbs. 8 oz. to Vernon and Marie Boyce.

Nine months later when Vernon was discharged from the Army, the Boyce's returned to the Stillwater/Cushing area where his parents grew up. He was even then the protector of the weaker as he tried often to keep baby brother, Curtis, from frequent mistakes that Marie quickly corrected with a fly swatter. By the time Denise, baby sister, arrived Randall had improved his role as guardian of his siblings. She was tiny and fragile which was a greater challenge than his preferred hunting on their land or fishing at the pond.

Vernon and Marie ran Boyce's Grocery and Station on 33 Highway and as a kid he pumped gas for pennies a gallon. It was here he was taught to greet the customers and never meet a stranger. He could talk to anyone.

His high school years were filled with the usual teen guy stuff; motorcycles, football and fast cars. What he could not think of on his own, one of many cousins could bring a new idea to the table. Much too big for a fly swatter, Vernon was occasionally called upon with his strength to enforce Marie's wishes.

In college at Murray State in Tishomingo, OK, he worked undercover narcotics. His long red curly hair helped him blend in easily. Ag and animal science were his major course of study.

That red and white 55 Chevy gave him an advantage with the ladies, he was sure. It was here at Tishomingo that he would acquire the nickname, Bear. He literally filled the doorway and with long hair looked like a big old bear.

After returning from college, Bear changed radically. Wild and wooly were gone and reality bit hard. The job he'd trained for was gone, no more feed lots. A plumber's helper was much less exciting than undercover narcotics but it paid the bills. Vernon's son had grown up. No more hiding fly swatters from his mother and having influence over Curtis or Denise. They had their own ideas and paths. Even his childhood buddy, Gene White, had chosen more feminine company.

Coming home, Bear again responded to the Christian values he tried to run from devoted parent influenced him to consider his childhood faith and to rededicate his life to about mattered. Never did he stray very far from lessons learned as a child. Defend the defenseless. Protect the truth and pass on the blessings. He was a champion for those struggling for survival.

Community Action Inc. gave the greatest opportunity to serve others in a truly meaningful way of meeting practical needs. Never was he as happy as when the annual Christmas drives provided toys of needy children or coats for those who did without winter warmth.

Bear will be remembered for those moments of daily kindness, not documented on a resume.

Survivors include Frieta, his wife of 40 plus years; Amber, only surviving daughter and Matt Stursa, son-in-law, rock and the joy of his life; Alex, 3 year old grandson, cartoon buddy; Denise Lowery, only sister and her husband Scott; and numerous nieces, nephew, and cousins.

Bear is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Marie Boyce and brother, Curtis Boyce.

Instead of flowers that fade quickly; memorial contributions could be made to Stillwater Medical Center, Sunshine fund for those in need or Good Shepard Hospice in Tulsa, OK.

Feel free to wear jeans and join in a graveside service only at Paradise Cemetery off 33 Highway on Monday, June 2, 2014 at 10:00 am.

Family visitation will be at River of Life Church on Saturday, May 31, 2014 from 6 to 8 pm located at 9404 South Perkins Road.

Arrangements have been entrusted under the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater, OK.