Franklin Edsel Nation was born October 29th, 1932 to Vera Vivian (Wheeler) and James Franklin Nation. He passed away in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Friday, December 1st, 2023 at the age of 91 years, 1 month and 2 days.
Edsel, known by most in the community as “Ed”, grew up in the Bulo and Sunny Point communities. He attended elementary and junior high school at Buffalo and Sunny Point and transferred to Sweetwater where he attended high school. As a teenager he met a young woman by the name of Orvalene Joy Bartz and after his schooling he followed her to California on a bus. They formed a relationship and were later married on May 26th, 1952 in Yuma, Arizona. After their marriage they moved to Corona, California where they raised their two sons. He worked as a residential carpenter contractor to provide for his family but always felt his ministry, serving as an elder in the congregation for 70 years, and being a minister telling as many people about Jehovah as possible was his main focus in life. In 1981, Ed and Orvalene moved back to western Oklahoma and along with his family built the home they are currently in today. Throughout the years Ed always enjoyed anything dealing with horses and extensively performed public speaking events at district conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses throughout the United States. He was a man of strength, integrity and devotion to God.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sharon Gay Nation- Fincher; son, Bobby Edsel Nation; and one grandson, Seth Franklin Nation.
Ed is survived by his wife of 71 years, Orvalene Joy (Bartz) Nation, of the home; 1 son, Gary Nation and wife, Elizabeth, Sayre, OK; 6 grandchildren, Caleb Nation, Alina Nation, Clint Nation and wife, Sierra; Teresa Elwood and husband, Jason; Brittany Murphy and husband A.J.; Mark Nation and wife, Meagan; 14 great grandchildren; one great grandchild on the way. Ed is also survived by daughter in law, Patricia Nation and a host of other relatives and friends.
