V.A. Cauthon

Virgil A. Sam Cauthon, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed away Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at the Ponca City Medical Center. He was 85 years of age.

Sam was born November 27, 1927 at Vinita, Oklahoma, the third child born to Robert Andrew Cauthon and Minnie Gladys Bell Cauthon. Sam attended schools in Vinita and Pheasant Hill in rural Craig County. He was a 1945 graduate of Bluejacket, Oklahoma High School. Sam honorably served his country in the United States Coast Guard from September 1945 until May of 1947.

He began employment with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company on June 16, 1947. He served in various craft and supervisory positions in the outside plant maintenance and engineering departments. He retired from the telephone company on September 16, 1986.

Sam joined the Ponca City Second Baptist Church in December of 1952. He was an ordained deacon and served in various leadership positions at Second Baptist and the First Baptist Churches of Newkirk, Pawhuska and Blackwell. He was a supply minister for 25 years at various churches in Kay County. He was active in ministering to residents in nursing homes in Ponca City for 27 years. He was currently a member of Second Baptist Church, Telephone Life Pioneers and American Legion.

He met Zelma Irene Sneed in Pawnee, Oklahoma and was married on February 21, 1948 in Pawnee at the home of the Pawnee First Baptist Church Pastor, Rev. Ernest Hitt. The couple made their first home in Cleveland, Oklahoma, moving to Ponca City in June of 1948. To this union two children were born, a son, Robert Eugene and a daughter, Linda Sue.

He is survived by his two children, Robert Eugene Cauthon, of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Linda Sue Huffaker and her husband, Wayne, of Houston, Texas one brother, Ronald Leroy Cauthon and wife, Violet, of Las Cruces, New Mexico four grandchildren, Brandon Jai Wilkerson, Robert Samuel Cauthon, Charles Christopher Cauthon and Brooklyn Cauthon five great grandchildren, two of whom are named after him Caden Lee, Anna Grace, Samuel Allen, Robert Samuel Jr. and Seth and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents his wife, Zelma, on October 20, 2008 a daughter inlaw Bertha Lou Cauthon, in September 2011 his four siblings, Robert Clarence Cauthon, Betty Jane Cauthon Bryant, Ellis Ray Cauthon and Billy Glen Cauthon.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 14, 2012 at Grace Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Grace Memorial Chapel with Rev. Dan Anderson presiding, assisted by Rev. Ken Newport. Interment will follow in the Ponca City I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be Roger Kelle, Josh Kelle, Russell Struble, Randy Merceiz, Ronald Shelton and Darrell Shelton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601 or to Hope Ranch, 522 North 14th Street 233, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.