Catherine June Conrad

Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” A precious thing happened on Thursday, October 11, 2007 when Catherine Conrad passed from this life into eternity. Formerly Catherine June Cook, she was the youngest of six children born to Crafton and Foy Cook. Thanks to her older siblings, she became an aunt at the age of 11 and, throughout her entire life, maintained as deep a love for her nieces and nephews as she did for her parents, her brother and her sisters. In 1949, at the age of 14, Catherine was baptized into Christ at the Lindsay Church of Christ. Her faithful neighbor, Mazie Whitt, gave Catherine and her mother transportation to church every Sunday for many, many years. At Lindsay High School, Catherine was active in the marching band, playing clarinet. She was an All-State band member her senior year, as well as being selected Secretary of her senior class. After high school, Catherine attended Oklahoma State University, then known as Oklahoma A&M College. She spent a couple of years in the college marching band, and graduated in 1956 with a bachelors degree in Home Economics. After a year of working for the extension service, she returned to OSU for a masters degree—and to be near Jim Conrad, a fellow student at OSU. Jim & Cathy were active in the Church of Christ Bible Chair in Stillwater, establishing friendships that have continued to this day. Jim & Catherine were married on May 24, 1958 and both graduated from OSU the next day—Jim with his agriculture degree and Catherine with her masters degree in Home Economics. Jim & Cathy became parents to Jena, Jonna, James, and a foster son, James Williams. Eventually they saw all their children marry and became grandparents to Jonna & Alan Way’s children, Alison & Andrew; Jena & David Coffey’s children, Byron, Scott & Laura; and James & Holly’s boys, Ben & Will Conrad. Cathy was as happy and loving a grandmother as she was a mother. Jim & Cathy were best friends and partners for over 49 years. They began farming near Springer on land owned by Jim’s parents. Then, a few years later, they bought their own farm near Madill. They opened their first two pecan businesses while living at Madill, then relocated to Pauls Valley in 1980 to open another pecan business. In 1985, they made a final move back to Springer, built a home, and began farming again. Eventually they even opened another pecan business on the farm. Cathy always did the bookkeeping, and could prepare a farm tax return better than many professional accountants. For the past few years, Jim & Cathy have been mostly retired. Cathy was a devoted member of the church all her years, having been a member at the Ardmore Church of Christ for the last 15. She faithfully served others as long as she was able, and especially enjoyed having people into her home for meals. She was also a serious Bible student, often teaching Bible classes, and even teaching people in Africa via Bible correspondence courses for several years. The kindness and care that she showed throughout her life was returned, especially in the tremendous service of this church to Jim & Cathy over the last months of her life. Catherine loved God, her husband, and her family dearly. We will all miss her, but we must remember the verse that anchored her soul: John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.’ ”

Catherine June Conrad

June 22, 1934 - October 11, 2007