Milton R. Ooley

Milton R. Ooley, 68, from Borger, Texas, went to be with Jesus on Monday, March 18, 2024.
 
A celebration of his life will be held in the Grand Ball Room at the Borger Dome on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 2:00 pm under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger.  Graveside service will follow in Highland Park Cemetery following the service, with Military Honors.  The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, his memory may be honored with a gift to Liberty Worship Church, PO Box 5684, Borger, Texas, 79008.  
 
Milton passed peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family. Milton was born in Pampa, Texas on June 24, 1955, to Raymond "Manny" and Elizabeth "Birdie" Ooley. Growing up he was involved in many organizations and church. As a teenager he heard his calling to serve the Lord while attending El Porvenir Christian Camp in New Mexico.

Milton graduated from Borger High School in 1973 where he was president of the Math Club and Latin Club his senior year. He graduated from Frank Phillips College in 1975 with an Associate degree, majoring in Political Science. He earned a three-year Army ROTC full scholarship and an ROTC Superior Cadet Award. He received a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from WTAMU in August of 1977. While there he earned ROTC Superior Cadet Award (2nd time), ROTC Corp Commander his Senior year, Distinguished Military Graduate, and was a recipient of the Silver Saber Award.
 
Milton married Sandy Buckland in 1975, and they had two children, Mandy and Ben, who were both born in Germany.

Upon graduation, he joined the United States Army, where he attended multiple army specialty schools. He served as an officer from July 1977 to October 1984, where he worked as a communications-electronics officer for various units such as Air Defense and Armored Calvary, stationed both in America and Germany. He advanced to the rank of Captain before leaving the service and changing careers to ministry and education.
 
Milton began working for Andrew Wommack Ministries and going back to school to get a Master's degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs in May 1987. He furthered his education at WTAMU, receiving a Master's degree in Political Science, in May of 2005. He was inducted into three honor societies while there: Gamma Bet Phi, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Pi Gamma Mu.
 
After returning to the Texas Panhandle, he met the love of his life, Kandee Puryear. In 1999 they got married and have lived happily together ever since. Milton was a serious student of the Bible and a teacher at heart. He taught Government, Economics, World and US History in Dalhart and Fritch schools. He won Male Teacher of the Year every year that he taught at Sanford-Fritch High School, where he was also instrumental in starting the ROTC program.  He also served as vice-principal at Borger Middle School for 3 years.
 
Milton was elected to the Borger City Council in May 2016 and has served in that capacity until his death. He has served in many community organizations and churches, always willing to serve and minister. He had a great sense of humor, joking with his doctors and hospice nurses right to the end. He was a rock of strength, of peace, of wisdom and stability to all his family who called upon him many times to ask him for his advice and wisdom. He enjoyed camping, playing board games and fantasy football with his nephews and grandson, going to garage sales, watching movies with his wife, and being with his family and church family.  He was also known to be talked into performing in church skits and plays.

He was a member of Liberty Worship Church in Borger where he taught Sunday School.

Milton is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Birdie Ooley; his beloved son, Benjamin Ooley; and father and mother-in-law, Sanford and Juanita Puryear; and brother-in-law, James Moore.

He is survived by his wife, Kandee, daughter, Mandy Sweeten; grandchildren, Jade Hobbs, Michael Angelo Woodward, Gwynnevyre Pepper, and Tyler Skaggs; three great-grandchildren, Joseph, Melora and Sylphrena; daughter-in-law, Crystal Blair; sisters, Mary Kay Phelan and husband Tom, Sara Bumgarner and husband Harold, Jo Ellen Moore, and Amy Marr and husband Robi; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Venie McDaniel, Juanita Rodriguez, Laura Gunn, and the entire Ooley Family especially his sisters.