Barnum London, known simply as "Junior" throughout his life, was born into a life of many hardships and few opportunities. By the sixth grade, Junior gave up school so that he could work and help support his mother, father, sisters, and brothers. He is remembered as a wonderful brother and a very hard worker with many hours spent in the cotton fields. Childhood years were spent in the "Sunny Slope" area east of Ralston, OK with an occasional trek to Arizona with his family as migrant workers. The family also lived for a time in the Sallisaw, OK area.
From stories, it is apparent Junior was a typical, fun-loving, ornery farm boy that was a friend to everyone and would always be there to help anyone. He was always willing to share what little he had or give his all to others before himself. This was his nature from the beginning to the end of his life.
Junior went into the Navy at the end of World War II at age 19 and served on a Patrol ship in the Pacific. The tour included Guam and Hawaii. His tour of Pearl Harbor made a lasting impression and he gained a new found respect of all service men for the sacrifices they make.
Junior married Velma Francine Wood, July 23, 1947, in Ralston, OK and to this union four daughters were born: Judith Kay, Sherry Lea, Jackie Elaine, and Desiree Denise. Junior was a loving husband and father who always worked to provide the very best he could for his family. Junior worked as a dozer operator throughout Osage and Pawnee Counties for 20 years. He later worked on road construction projects as a heavy equipment operator until going to work for Peabody Coal Co. in 1972 where he worked until his retirement. He shared valuable knowledge gained through his experience of survival and hard work with his daughters and insisted they never be deprived of the opportunity to finish school. Junior loved to travel and exposed his family to a variety of scenic wonders in the United States. These actions and dreams he carried on with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his retirement years, he and Velma continued to travel, never tiring of mountain or desert scenery. He cared for his loving wife as long as possible until her passing.
Junior was honest, trustworthy, and never short on generosity to others. He was baptized in the Ralston First Baptist Church September 14, 1958, and served as a deacon for many years. He was greatly admired by family, friends, and co-workers. He was a light in his daughter's eyes that can never be extinguished.
As Junior came to the end of his life, he had battled many hardships, disappointments, and health issues yet he retained his strength and determination, his compassion for others, and his sense of humor. He never lost his desire to perform hard physical labor every day. Like all human beings, Junior wasn't a perfect man but, he was the Example of Man that many would like to be.
From stories, it is apparent Junior was a typical, fun-loving, ornery farm boy that was a friend to everyone and would always be there to help anyone. He was always willing to share what little he had or give his all to others before himself. This was his nature from the beginning to the end of his life.
Junior went into the Navy at the end of World War II at age 19 and served on a Patrol ship in the Pacific. The tour included Guam and Hawaii. His tour of Pearl Harbor made a lasting impression and he gained a new found respect of all service men for the sacrifices they make.
Junior married Velma Francine Wood, July 23, 1947, in Ralston, OK and to this union four daughters were born: Judith Kay, Sherry Lea, Jackie Elaine, and Desiree Denise. Junior was a loving husband and father who always worked to provide the very best he could for his family. Junior worked as a dozer operator throughout Osage and Pawnee Counties for 20 years. He later worked on road construction projects as a heavy equipment operator until going to work for Peabody Coal Co. in 1972 where he worked until his retirement. He shared valuable knowledge gained through his experience of survival and hard work with his daughters and insisted they never be deprived of the opportunity to finish school. Junior loved to travel and exposed his family to a variety of scenic wonders in the United States. These actions and dreams he carried on with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his retirement years, he and Velma continued to travel, never tiring of mountain or desert scenery. He cared for his loving wife as long as possible until her passing.
Junior was honest, trustworthy, and never short on generosity to others. He was baptized in the Ralston First Baptist Church September 14, 1958, and served as a deacon for many years. He was greatly admired by family, friends, and co-workers. He was a light in his daughter's eyes that can never be extinguished.
As Junior came to the end of his life, he had battled many hardships, disappointments, and health issues yet he retained his strength and determination, his compassion for others, and his sense of humor. He never lost his desire to perform hard physical labor every day. Like all human beings, Junior wasn't a perfect man but, he was the Example of Man that many would like to be.
Barnum London, known simply as "Junior" throughout his life, was born into a life of many hardships and few opportunities. By the sixth grade, Junior gave up school so that he could work and help support his mother, father, sisters, and brothers. He is remembered as a wonderful brother and a very hard worker with many hours spent in the cotton fields. Childhood years were spent in the "Sunny Slope" area east of Ralston, OK with an occasional trek to Arizona with his family as migrant workers. The family also lived for a time in the Sallisaw, OK area.
From stories, it is apparent Junior was a typical, fun-loving, ornery farm boy that was a friend to everyone and would always be there to help anyone. He was always willing to share what little he had or give his all to others before himself. This was his nature from the beginning to the end of his life.
Junior went into the Navy at the end of World War II at age 19 and served on a Patrol ship in the Pacific. The tour included Guam and Hawaii. His tour of Pearl Harbor made a lasting impression and he gained a new found respect of all service men for the sacrifices they make.
Junior married Velma Francine Wood, July 23, 1947, in Ralston, OK and to this union four daughters were born: Judith Kay, Sherry Lea, Jackie Elaine, and Desiree Denise. Junior was a loving husband and father who always worked to provide the very best he could for his family. Junior worked as a dozer operator throughout Osage and Pawnee Counties for 20 years. He later worked on road construction projects as a heavy equipment operator until going to work for Peabody Coal Co. in 1972 where he worked until his retirement. He shared valuable knowledge gained through his experience of survival and hard work with his daughters and insisted they never be deprived of the opportunity to finish school. Junior loved to travel and exposed his family to a variety of scenic wonders in the United States. These actions and dreams he carried on with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his retirement years, he and Velma continued to travel, never tiring of mountain or desert scenery. He cared for his loving wife as long as possible until her passing.
Junior was honest, trustworthy, and never short on generosity to others. He was baptized in the Ralston First Baptist Church September 14, 1958, and served as a deacon for many years. He was greatly admired by family, friends, and co-workers. He was a light in his daughter's eyes that can never be extinguished.
As Junior came to the end of his life, he had battled many hardships, disappointments, and health issues yet he retained his strength and determination, his compassion for others, and his sense of humor. He never lost his desire to perform hard physical labor every day. Like all human beings, Junior wasn't a perfect man but, he was the Example of Man that many would like to be.
From stories, it is apparent Junior was a typical, fun-loving, ornery farm boy that was a friend to everyone and would always be there to help anyone. He was always willing to share what little he had or give his all to others before himself. This was his nature from the beginning to the end of his life.
Junior went into the Navy at the end of World War II at age 19 and served on a Patrol ship in the Pacific. The tour included Guam and Hawaii. His tour of Pearl Harbor made a lasting impression and he gained a new found respect of all service men for the sacrifices they make.
Junior married Velma Francine Wood, July 23, 1947, in Ralston, OK and to this union four daughters were born: Judith Kay, Sherry Lea, Jackie Elaine, and Desiree Denise. Junior was a loving husband and father who always worked to provide the very best he could for his family. Junior worked as a dozer operator throughout Osage and Pawnee Counties for 20 years. He later worked on road construction projects as a heavy equipment operator until going to work for Peabody Coal Co. in 1972 where he worked until his retirement. He shared valuable knowledge gained through his experience of survival and hard work with his daughters and insisted they never be deprived of the opportunity to finish school. Junior loved to travel and exposed his family to a variety of scenic wonders in the United States. These actions and dreams he carried on with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his retirement years, he and Velma continued to travel, never tiring of mountain or desert scenery. He cared for his loving wife as long as possible until her passing.
Junior was honest, trustworthy, and never short on generosity to others. He was baptized in the Ralston First Baptist Church September 14, 1958, and served as a deacon for many years. He was greatly admired by family, friends, and co-workers. He was a light in his daughter's eyes that can never be extinguished.
As Junior came to the end of his life, he had battled many hardships, disappointments, and health issues yet he retained his strength and determination, his compassion for others, and his sense of humor. He never lost his desire to perform hard physical labor every day. Like all human beings, Junior wasn't a perfect man but, he was the Example of Man that many would like to be.
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