Johnny Lowell Files, Sr., 89, of Newcastle passed away at his home on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Johnny was born on June 23, 1935, in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, where he attended high school and graduated in the class of 1953.
Johnny married the love of his life, Dorothy Mae Skidmore, on June 4, 1954. They moved to Newcastle in 1960 where they planted their roots and raised their five children.
He attended Tri-City Cowboy Country Church and was an active volunteer at the Newcastle Senior Center.
Known for his generosity and willingness to help others, he spent countless hours investing in his community through 4-H, FFA, and the Newcastle Poultry Show.
In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Grandpa Chicken will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Johnny was preceded in death by: his parents; son, Tommy Files; grandson, Justin Lowell Files; granddaughter, Cydney Dawn Files; and three brothers.
Johnny is survived by: his wife of 70 years, Dorothy Files of Newcastle; three sons, Johnny Files, Jr. and his wife, Nancy, of Newcastle, Don Files and his wife, Sherrie, of Newcastle, and Paul Files and his wife, Cheryl, of Blanchard; one daughter, Pattie Ann Claunch of Newcastle; one daughter-in-law, Gina Files of Newcastle; nine grandchildren, Lori Brasel and her husband Geoffrey, Dustin Files, Carlye Files and D.J. Kistler, Aaron Files, Lacy Morgan and her husband, Curtis, Tamara McCandless and her husband, Josh, Dystani Langley and her husband, Jordan, Austin Claunch and his wife, Amber, and Lindsey Claunch; 13 greatgrandchildren, Mason, Maddie, Maleigh, Parker, Beckett, Cooper, Dakota, Addie, Bear, Johnnie, Pepper, Gunner, and Aiden; one sister, Ella Mae Fink; one brother, Harold Nichols and his wife, April; and many other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Woodland Hills Baptist Church in Newcastle. Burial followed in the Blanchard Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home in Blanchard. An online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh. com.
James Ferguson 1939 – 2025
James Edward Ferguson was the first-born son of Edward and Irma Lee Ferguson. He was born on May 9, 1939, in Maysville, Oklahoma. He passed from this life into the loving arms of Jesus on March 14, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Early in his life, he worked as a dairy farmer and construction worker. In 1962, he went to work for Scrivner as a truck driver and worked there until 1996. From there, he studied to become an insurance agent and eventually purchased his own agency. He and his wife, Carole, owned and operated Heart of Oklahoma Insurance in Purcell, Oklahoma, until October 2023.
James became a part of God’s forever family when he received Christ as his Lord and Savior on May 23, 1957. He was ordained as a deacon by the First Baptist Church of Cole, Oklahoma, in April 1992, where he faithfully served for many years.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Edward and Irma Lee Ferguson; sister, Irma Jean Ferguson; and daughter, Debbie Ferguson Scott.
A life-long resident of Newcastle, Oklahoma, James is survived by: his loving wife of 65 years, Carole, of the home; daughter Risa Haygood and husband Keith, of Edmond, Oklahoma; daughter, Vickie Vanderburg and husband Monty, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and son-in-law, Jay Scott of Blanchard, Oklahoma.
He is also survived by: seven grandchildren, Jennifer Cady and husband Brian, Laura Haygood,
James Ferguson
Joshua Vanderburg and wife Sarah, Brooke Geisler and husband Chris, Morgan Blevins and husband Buddy, Meghan Honeycutt and husband Ben, and Justin Scott and wife Rachel; and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was a faithful steward to his local church and a generous donor to local 4-H and FFA programs, investing in the lives of the young people he loved to mentor and serve.
James loved the outdoors, especially enjoying fishing, bird hunting, camping, boating, and (in his younger years) waterskiing.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Cole. Burial will follow at the Newcastle Memorial Gardens. Viewing was Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in Purcell. Viewing is noon to 7 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2025, in Newcastle.
Memorial gifts can be given to the missions fund at the First Baptist Church in Cole. www.wilsonlittle.com
