Calvin Gatlin

Earl Calvin Gatlin was born on July 31, 1938, in Sparks, Oklahoma, and departed this life on Wednesday, October 20, 2010, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, at the age of 72. Calvin, the son of Earl Cleo and Iola Ellen (Decker) Gatlin, was a long-time resident of Meeker. He attended Meeker High School, graduating in 1956. While there Calvin met his high school sweetheart Darlene Stanley. The two were married on June 5, 1957 in Meeker. Calvin began his career in the refrigeration industry with the maintenance and installation division of Scrivner Foods. In 1983 he acquired the assets of a commercial refrigeration company and founded his own company, Artic Temp. By 2005 his company had outgrown its original facility in Meeker and relocated to a much larger manufacturing plant in Prague. Calvin was very proud of Artic Temp and its employees. The company has provided commercial coolers and freezers to customers in 48 states and Puerto Rico, as well as installations in several other Countries. Calvin’s proudest achievement was his children and he relished his role as grandparent and great grandparent. He was also an accomplished “collector,” although his family has always believed his true enjoyment came from the act of acquiring rather than from the acquisition itself. Calvin was very active in the community of Meeker, a member of the Masonic Lodge in Meeker, and an avid supporter of many children's medical foundations and charities, including Smile Train. Calvin was preceded in death by his parents and two great grandchildren, Dayton and Dax Fowler. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Darlene Gatlin of the home; daughters and sons-in-law, Diane West and her husband, Brad of Shawnee, Deborah Spencer of Meeker, Sheila Kirk-Lynch and her husband Micah of Chandler; sons and daughter-in-law, Robert Gatlin of Meeker, Tony Gatlin and his wife, Ashley, of Meeker; 4 grandchildren, Colton, Dillon, Callie and Laney; 5 great-grandchildrenKendyl, Bode Bailyn, Cooper and Gentri; brothers and sisters-in-law, Carroll and Betty Gatlin of Tulsa, Donnie and Sheryl Gatlin of Guthrie; and sister, Linda Gatlin of Guthrie. Memorials may be made in Calvin's name to: The Smile Train PO Box 96231 Washington, D.C. 20090-6231 The Gatlin family will receive friends on Sunday, October 24, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 25, 2010 at 10:00 AM, at the First Baptist Church in Prague with Rev. Don Gatlin officiating. Interment will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Meeker. Serving as pallbearers will be Micah Lynch, Brad West, Tony Gatlin, Colton Fowler, Dillon Spencer and Bode Gatlin. Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague.