Austin J. Driggars, 77 year-old Afton resident, died early Sunday, February 10, 2008 at his residence after a long illness. He was born May 4, 1930 in Glenwood, Arkansas to James Austin and Carrie (Johnson) Driggars. Austin attended school at several small country schools, including, Glenwood, Bethel, Mountain View, and Caddo Gap, Arkansas. He attended college at Northeastern State in Tahlequah, and received his teaching degree from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater in Vocational Education. Austin served his country during the Korean Conflict from 1948 to 1953 in the Navy. He had lived in numerous places in Arkansas, Tulsa and Beggs, Oklahoma, then moved to Afton in 1990. Austin married Phyllis K. (Crane) on May 19, 1990. Austin was a Diesel and Heavy Equipment instructor for OSU Tech in Okmulgee, Oklahoma from 1975 to 1990 until he retired on June 30th. He had also worked and taught at OMR Pipeline, White Motor Company rebuilding trucks, Caterpillar, Tulsa Vo-Tech, and Pryor Vo-Tech. Austin was a member of the Forest Hill Baptist Church, attended Trinity Baptist Church in Afton and Cowboy Junction. He was on the Ottawa County Industrial Board for 10 years, Afton Housing Board, Senior Citizens Board, and the Ottawa County Retired Teachers Association. Austin worked with local FFA and 4-H Chapters, and was awarded the lifetime Honorary Chapter Farmer by the FFA by Beggs FFA. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Afton. The family includes: his wife Phyllis of the home, ten children, Patsy Driggers of Roland, Arkansas, Trina Buchanan and husband Don of Muskogee, Jay Driggars of Tulsa, Jerry Driggars and wife Ricki, Glen Driggars, Dusty Driggars and wife Johnna, all of Beggs, Rhonda Edwards of Wagoner, Jeannie Sears and husband Mike of Bluejacket, Terry Cook and wife Tiffany of Watonga, and Robert Finch of Pataya Beach, Thailand; one sister, Sue Davis of Caddo Gap, Arkansas; brothers, Gerald Driggers and wife Jonell, Bill Driggers and wife Etha, all of Pearcy Arkansas, and Carl Driggers and wife Rhonda of Norman, Arkansas; a mother in-law, Imogene (Crane) Miller; twenty one grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, a sister, Imogene Rickner, and a brother James Driggers. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Luginbuel Funeral Home in Vinita. Casket bearers will be: Michael Langley, Justin Driggars, Caleb Driggars, Jarrad Edwards, Malachi Sears, and Mark Harmon. Honorary bearers will be: Ronnie Driggars, Gene Claiborn, Avon Forgey, George Snow, Steve Wheeler, and Johnny Johnson. The funeral will be held Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity Baptist Church in Afton, with Pastors, Tony Randall and David Holland officiating, Billy Mac Harrison will do the eulogy. Interment will follow at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Afton. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita. Preferred memorials can be made to the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Afton.
Service Details
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 2:00pm, Trinity Baptist Church
Interment Details
Mt. Hope Cemetery