Funeral Service for John Thomas Locke, 73 of Poteau, Oklahoma will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at First Freewill Baptist in Poteau, Oklahoma with Jim Cook officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, Oklahoma under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.
John was born on July 18, 1949 in Heavener, Oklahoma to John and Sally Locke and passed away on May 14, 2023 in Poteau, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vickie Locke; his parents; sisters, Janice Elaine Locke, and Joan Penney Locke, a brother, James Edward Locke. John enjoyed his family. He loved going hunting, fishing, his vacations to Colorado, His trips to UTU Regional Meetings across the nation, meeting people and making friends. Spending afternoons at the Town Creek Baseball Park and Friday nights in the fall at Costner Stadium, watching the Poteau Pirates and on Saturdays watching college football (Oklahoma Sooners) with one of his best friends in the world, that of Jim Cook. He was a lifetime member of United Transportation Union and UTU Local 770, Perpetual Member of Poteau Masonic Lodge #46, and a 32nd degree member of McAlester Scottish Rite and a member of the Royal Order of the Duck of the McAlester Scottish Rite. John was chosen as UTU’s “Volunteer of the Year” for the year 2002 across the United States and Canada. Chosen “Poteau’s Man of the Year” for the year 2004. Was honored by the Oklahoma House and Oklahoma State Senate in the winter of 1975/1976 for saving two young men, when he tackled their sled and turned it on its side and prevented from being run over by a semi-truck in Watts, Oklahoma, while working for the KCS.
Survivors include his daughter, Elaine Janway and husband Brandon; son, Matt Locke and wife Erica; grandchildren, Tyler, Jacob, and Hunter Locke, Carter and Justin Janway; numerous other relatives and loved ones.
Pallbearers will be Dalton Smith, Joshua Smith, Jacob Smith, David Hogan, Tim Stacy, Jeff Stacy, Tyler Locke, Jacob Locke, Cody Wann and Brian Hendricks.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Jon Pickel, KCS rail roaders, and Heavener Class of 1967.
Visitation will be Friday, May 19, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.
You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com
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