Milton G. Tomlinson

Milton G. Tomlinson went be with the Lord on Sunday, September 25, 2011. He died in Edmond, Oklahoma, at the age of 96 years, five months and 16 days. He was born on April 9, 1915, to Rawdon Earl and Alta Marie (Joiner) Tomlinson, in Frederick, Oklahoma. He attended schools in Frederick and graduated from Frederick High School. He attended Oklahoma State University where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. While attending college, Milton met Frances Beth Montgomery at a house party in 1935. They were married four years later in 1939. To this union were born four children: Anne Montgomery, Richard Milton, Rawdon Earl II, and Phillip Scott. He served in the United States Navy from February 1944 until 1946, when he was honorably discharged. Milton's grandfather, Wilbur Milton Tomlinson and his family lived in Kansas until the Kiowa-Caddo-Comanche country was opened in Oklahoma in 1901. He drew a lucky number which entitled him to a homestead in this area and moved his family to the new farm ten miles from Indiahoma. They farmed that place and engaged in stock business until 1911, when they traded the tract of land for the Wide-A-Wake Variety Store in Frederick. R. E. Tomlinson was one of the three founders of T.G. & Y. which was incorporated in Oklahoma City in 1936, and then went on to become a national variety store chain. Upon the death of Wilbur Milton, R.E. Tomlinson became the operator of Tomlinson's store. When R.E. died in 1948, his son Milton became owner of Tomlinson & Son stores, in Frederick and Grandfield, and he later opened a store in Tipton and Denver, Colorado. Milton had various business interests in the state of Oklahoma. He also inherited a love of cars from his father and grandfather and enjoyed "tinkering" with cars since the days of the Model T Ford when home repair was a necessity for a young boy and he owned car dealerships in Clinton. Milton followed the pattern set by his grandfather and father, and was active in community, civic and church affairs. He was instrumental in moving Centra Leather Goods from New York to Frederick in 1955. He along with other businessmen from Frederick formed Frederick Inc. to bring new business to this area. In 1955, he was chosen Frederick's Most Useful Citizen. He had been on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank in Frederick for many years. He served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the State Industrial Committee. He was a member of the Lions Club and Rotary Club serving as president of both. He and his wife Beth loved to travel, and together they logged many hours in the air and many miles on the ground. He and Beth moved to Oklahoma City in the 1980's. She preceded him in death on April 10, 1992. He then married Bernice Kelly of Nichols Hills. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Frederick, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents: his first wife, Beth; and two sisters: Elaine Boutwell, and Peggy Guinn. He is survived by his wife: Bernice Kelly Tomlinson, of the home; three sons: Richard Tomlinson, of Frederick, OK, Rawdon Tomlinson and his wife Karen, of Denver, CO; Scott Tomlinson and his wife Mary Ann, of Oklahoma City; one daughter: Anne Arthur and husband Lynvol, of Granbury, TX; one grandson: Garrett Arthur and wife Amy Degner; six granddaughters: Illayna Miller and husband Richard, Caitlin Tomlinson, Eryn Tomlinson, Claire Tomlinson, Stephanie Lieber and husband Jeremy Reynolds, and Kristen Marshall and husband Darin; four great grandsons: Grayson Miller, Holden Reynolds, Henry Marshall, and Brendan Marshall; two great granddaughters: Fiona Arthur, and Lillian Marshall; one sister: Nadine Perkins, of Ardmore, OK; Bernice's children: Mike Kelly and wife Cheryl, and Kirsten Unterschuetz and husband Bret; grandchildren: Jackson Kelly, Justin Kelly, Emily Petree and husband Chad, Henry Pace Unterschuetz, John Alexander Unterschuetz, and Kathleen Kelly Unterschuetz; a great grandchild: Ally Petree; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. Orr Gray Gish Funeral Home 580.335-2112