J B Sliger

JB Sliger was called to his heavenly home on the morning of Wednesday, September 13th, 2017, at the age of 95. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Dr. Ben Husted will officiate. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in Stonewall. Mr. Sliger was born on April 20, 1922 in the community of Lovelady, to Robert Andrew and Sarah (Roshie) Sliger. Along with his family, JB attended Owl Creek Church. Prior to completing his studies, his education began at Blackrock and Lovelady Schools. He was called to service in the United States Army during World War II, where as an infantryman with Company C, 124th Infantry regiment, he obtained the rank of Sergeant. Upon his completion of service on April 16th, 1946, he returned home, to Ada.

On January 3rd, 1948 he wed the love of his life, Margie Laverne Miller. The newlywed Sligers moved to Colorado Springs, CO where JB gained employment as a herdsman and ultimately cattle manager for Banning-Lewis Ranch, before moving to Lone Oak, TX, working in the same capacity with McNatt Ranch and later, Phillips Hereford Farms in Greenville, TX. While in Texas, JB was honored by Hunt County FFA as a lifetime member. In 1964, JB felt it was time to return to his roots, and moved his family back home to Oklahoma.  He remained a member of Owl Creek Community Church, and in addition to being an equipment operator for Pontotoc County District 1, he served on the Rural Water Board for District 7, and after years of dedication to the herds of others, JB built his own successful cattle operation, JBS Herefords.

The Sligers built their home in Byng, Oklahoma and in their fifty years of marriage, raised five children. Mr. Sliger is survived by his brothers, Willard Sliger, Royce Sliger and sister, Edith Flowers, of Stonewall, OK, June McCauley of Ft. Worth, TX, and Jane Hatfield of Ada. Son, Jackie Hamilton and wife Pam, of Seminole, son, Hal Sliger, daughter, Gela Peterson and husband Pete, daughter, Lisa Groves and husband Steve, son, Rick Sliger , all of Byng, OK, and fourteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Mr. Sliger was preceded in death by his wife, Margie Laverne; sisters, Alvilda Sliger, Marie Nickell, Verlie Flowers, Vera Deaton and Avanna Hobbs; and a brother, Robert Sliger.

Pall Bearers for Mr. Sliger will be grandsons, Randy Hamilton, Keith Hamilton, Jay Sliger, Cole Sliger, Matthew Groves and Mason Groves.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Byng Public School's Horticulture/Agriculture Department at 500 S. New Bethel Blvd., Ada, OK 74820.