Oben Milton Tarrant Jr.

Oben Milton Tarrant Jr., 82 of Norman Oklahoma passed away on Friday, March 27, 2020.

Oben was born August 25, 1937 in Modesto, California to Oben Tarrant Sr. and Olivine Shults-Tarrant. At the age of 7, when his father remarried, he received a second mother, Ethel Boswell-Tarrant, who raised him as her own. 

He met and married his wife Freida Stamps at the early age of 17 in Wheatland, Ca in 1954.

Oben moved his family from California in 1974 where he had been a grocery store manager and butcher.  He was also a volunteer fireman for many years while living there.  They moved to Norman, OK for his new job as the lead butcher and meat department manager at Grider’s Discount Foods.

In 1977 Oben became a member of the Westside Church of Christ in Norman.  He and his wife Freida drove the church van for many years to provide transportation to those that needed a ride to and from church.  Many of his passengers were senior members of the church whom he dearly loved.  He also spent a lot of his time there as a handyman.  He worked on projects large and small.  Although the church building was large, you could always locate where he was working by following the sounds of him whistling.  

He loved to go fishing whether it was by himself or with his fishing buddies.  He enjoyed watching OU football and old western movies.  But most of all, he enjoyed going to car shows with his son, Tim. 

He was proceeded in death by his parents Oben Sr. and Olivine Tarrant, his stepmother Ethel Tarrant, his brother Bobby, sister Joylene English, and granddaughters Christina and Aliyah.

Oben is survived by his wife of 65 years, Freida, of the home and their three children: Penny Mohr and her children Justin, Dylan, Lyndsy and Bonnie. Tim (Teresa) Tarrant and their children Jonathon, Laura and Colton. Joan (Gerry) Miller and their children Rachel, McKayla and Mercedes.  14 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.  He is also survived by his sisters Pat (Bruce) Wilson of Washington, Sheryl Fletcher of California and his brother Darrell Tarrant of California. 

Oben lived the last 2 years of his life at Grace Living Center in Norman where he passed away from the Covid19 virus.  Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, no memorial services have been planned at this time.