Alton E. (Al) Atchison
1945-2016
Al passed peacefully into eternity on November 22, 2016 surrounded by his family after a 18 month battle with lung cancer. His faith and courage was an inspiration to all who knew him and shared his life. He will be deeply missed by family, friends, and business associates.
Al was born in Sardis, Mississippi on July 3, 1945. He and four of his five siblings were raised in a children's home in Oklahoma. It was there that he met Margy and Darvin Atchison who would become his adoptive parents. He never saw his early life as anything other than a great learning experience about the value of hard work. He carried that life lesson with him into his career with the Oklahoma National Guard and into his career as a manufacturer's agent in the automotive aftermarket industry,
He was very proud of his service to the military. He enlisted with the Oklahoma National Guard in 1969 and retired 36 years later in 2005, after earning the rank of Chief Command Warrant Officer, as well as being awarded the Legion of Merit.
He started his career in the automotive aftermarket industry in 1971 and worked in that industry as a manufacturer's agent until his death. He was well respected for his work ethic, honesty, and was genuinely loved for his larger than life personality and presence by those he knew him.
He is preceded in death by his brother, Daryl Atchison and his father, Darvin Atchison. He is survived by his wife, Debra Atchison; his daughters, Christy Atchison, Susan Godinez, her husband Bryon, and Alyson Atchison; two grandchildren, Karlee and Kyler Godinez; two brothers, Ralph and Donald Elmore, one sister, Sandi Askins, and his mother, Margy Roberts.
Services will be held at St. Martin's Episcopal Church @717 Sage Rd on Friday, Dec. 9 @11:00 a.m. A Life Tribute will be held in Oklahoma City, OK on Saturday, Dec. 17 @2:00 at the 45th Infantry Brigade Museum 2145 NE 36th St, OKC.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be given in Al's name to St. Martin's Episcopal Church, , or an animal protection group of your choice.
The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the doctor's and their staffs for the excellent care and emotional support that was provided to us through the past 18 months. Dr. Muffaddal Morkas and his staff at Texas Oncology, Dr. Saad Shammas and the staff at Memorial Clinical Associates, and Dr. Bhakti Gidvani, whose relentless reminders to have regular health screenings gave Al the 18 months he had at the end of his life. These health care professionals all helped to make an unpleasant journey bearable for him.