Obituary for Clifford Honick

Clifford Leroy Honick

October 24, 1934 – July 17, 2023

Clifford Leroy Honick, farmer and lifelong resident of rural Newkirk, OK., departed for the eternal kingdom on Monday, July 17, 2023 at his country residence near Peckham, OK. He was 88 years old.

Clifford was born October 24, 1934 to Ray and Dolly Honick of rural Kay County. He is survived by Marguerite Morris Honick, his wife for 69 years. Other than his 4 years in the United States Air Force, Clifford lived his entire life just a few miles from the humble dwelling where he was born.

Clifford attended the long-abandoned Rock School NE of Blackwell and in 1952, graduated from Blackwell High school where he excelled in woodworking, baseball, and wrestling. After High School he briefly attended Oklahoma A and M (now OSU) before returning to work on the farm and soon thereafter volunteered for military service and joined the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base near Shreveport, Louisiana where he met and married Marguerite Morris. Two of their children, Michael Dale and Karen Lee were born during those years.

While in the Air Force, Clifford was an airplane mechanic and worked on the refurbishing of the famous Enola Gay.

After his military service, Clifford returned to the farm. In those years his third child, Donna Sue was born.

A dedicated father, Clifford, at times, worked three jobs to provide for his young family – he was a farmer, service station attendant and worked at the Blackwell Smelter.

Having a strong sense of public duty, Clifford served as a storm spotter for Blackwell Weather Emergency Management. He also worked as a volunteer firefighter for the Peckham Fire Department. Clifford also served on the school board for both Peckham and Lost Creek Schools.

Through all the years Clifford was a diligent and careful farmer. He loved the land, the wheat, the cattle, and all the crops. He gave full effort tobe the best farmer and caretaker of the land over which God had made him steward.

Survivors include His Wife Marguerite, Three Children: Michael Dale and His wife Sharon, Karen Lee Ortwein and her husband Craig Ortwein, Donna Sue Kelly and her husband James Kelly. A sister Lura White and her husband Warren and Margie, his sister in law. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Dolly Honick, his brother Wesley Honick, and an infant grandson, Efraim Fred Ortwein.

Survivors further include Mike and Sharon Honick’s children: Micah Honick and his children, Thatcher and Olivia; Sarah Watters and husband Jay Watters; Nathan Honick and Wife Andrea Honick of Oviedo, Florida and their son George; Bethany Hanzlicek and her husband Brandon of Azle, Texas and their children, Gilbert and Maggie; Sergeant First Class Jesse Honick of Edmond, Ok.

Clifford is further survived by Karen and Craig Ortwein’s children: Dr. Mark Ortwein and his Wife Sarah Ortwein of Como, Mississippi and their children, Ava, Ruby, Dashiell, Soren, and Annie; Sally Ann Hayhurst and her husband Ben Hayhurst of Broken Arrow, OK.

Clifford is further survived by Donna and Jim Kelly and their Children: Chase Kelly of Kansas City, and Chase Kelly’s daughter Felix; Aubrey and Wayne Andersen of Ponca City and their sons, Bayler, Cayden, Gavyn and Quaid.

Clifford was an admired, respected, humble, generous, and well-beloved man. He was in fact, the best of men.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 20th in the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel with James W. Roberts and Craig Ortwein officiating. Burial will follow in the Newkirk Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 12:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19th at the funeral home.