Bobby Wayne (Grumpy) Ficklin, passed away peacefully November 10, 2023 at age 90 after a very long bout with dementia.
Grumpy was born on March 19, 1933 to Ola Clyde and Sylvia Ficklin (O'Dell) in Elmore City, OK. He was proud to explain: "I grew up on The Place, four miles north of Elmore City, as an Old Country Boy".
Bobby served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter crew chief from 1954 to 1961 and then in the US Air Force Reserves from 1978 to 1993. He spent much of his career in Civil Service working on and testing jet engines at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, OK.
Grumpy was married to Sara Pauline (Nelms) Ficklin, the love of his life, until her passing on February 23, 2000. Bobby had one brother, Woody, and three sisters, Marie, Sue and Linda.
Bobby and Pauline were very proud of their family. They had three sons, Ricky, Jimmy and Donny. Grumpy is preceded in death by his sons Donny (March 31, 1993) and Jimmy (October 23, 2023) and his siblings. He is survived by his son Ricky / wife Barbara, four grandkids, (Casey, Jamie, Aubrey and Kelley) and ten great grandchildren (Riley, Reece and Rowan; Cali, Taylor and Ella; Hanna and Luka; and Michael and Phoebe), and Jimmy's wife Cindy.
Grumpy was a nickname given to him by his grandkids as a joke. He cherished that name and always introduced himself as "Grumpy" with a big smile on his face. He was anything but grumpy!!! He loved shopping at thrift stores and bought tons of "trinkets" that he gave to everyone he met. He was a very happy and generous man loved by so many.
He will be loved and missed by his entire family and friends.
Bobby has been joyfully reunited with the love of his life, Pauline, and his two boys. We know they are hugging and smiling down on us.
We love you and we miss you Grumpy and hope to always make you "proud"!
Service will be held at the Wooster Funeral Home in Pauls Valley, OK on November 14, 2023 at 1:30 PM immediately followed by graveside service with military honors at the Pauls Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Oklahoma Alzheimer's Association at 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or on their website.
Services will be livestreamed on the Wooster Funeral Home and Cremation Service Facebook page.