Jack Talley was born August 4, 1921 and departed this life on June 30, 2012. He was the oldest of the twelve children born near Norman, Oklahoma to Lester Burch Talley and Effie Martin Talley. He is survived by his son Ronnie "Ron" David Talley of Angleton, TX, a sister Reta Faye Spann, of Marietta, GA, brothers Joe M. Talley of Midland, TX, Erb Talley of Wanette, OK, Lindell Talley of Oklahoma City, OK, Lester Burch Talley, Jr., of Del City, OK, Bobby "Bob" Gene Talley, of Midwest City, OK, Victor "Vic" Ray Talley, of Edmond, OK, and Larry Don "Donnie" Talley of Lake Eufaula, OK; six granddaughters, four great-granddaughters, eight great-grandsons, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Preceding him in death: Father Lester Burch Talley (April 1966), Mother Effie Talley (1987), Sister Darline H. Peters (August 1948), Sister Anna Lee Cox (November 1984), sister Vera Mae Hindman (February 1999), first wife, Dorothy Maxine Talley (January 1989), Daughter Jacqueline S. Moutrie (March 1975), wife Earlene Waunita Pine Talley (May 2007), granddaughter Pamela Moutrie Brown (March 2011) and great-grandson Jeremy Brown (March 2011). Jack was very proud that he had enlisted January, 1941, and served in the regular Army with the 18th Field Artillery Battalion, a horse-drawn unit. Before he was able to pass the physical to enlist, Jack had a hernia operation. During World War II, the Battalion was issued vehicles and was in combat for ten months from July 6, 1944 at Utah Beach, Normandy, France to May, 1945. He missed D-Day 1944. During that time, the battalion was in five major campaigns: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Alsace and Central Europe. Jack returned to the USA November, 1945, and was discharged to Camp Chafe, AR. Beginning in January, 1941, at Ft. Sill, OK, Jack and his brother, Joe, were in the 18th Field Artillery Battalion at Ft. Sill. Also, they went to Camp Gordon, GA for training and were later sent to Walsall, England, in preparation for the invasion and arrived at Normandy, Utah Beach on July 6, 1944. From there he was in combat for 10 months, surviving the major campaigns in Europe. Noteworthy as well, his Uncle, James "Jim" Franklin Martin, was in the same area assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division during the "Battle of the Bulge". Jack's duties during combat were delivering messages, firing orders, etc. from HQBN to Division Artillery message centers. Shortly after he was discharged from the US Army, he re-enlisted in the US Army Air Corps, which later became the US Air Force, where he served until his retirement as a Technical Sergeant in March, 1963, at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. From December 1963 to March 1976, he served as Clerk, Branch Chief and a Management Assistant in the Administration Division at Tinker AFB, OK, where he served until retirement in March, 1976. Jack was not ready for full retirement in 1976. In November, 1979, he started working at OG&E, Mustang Plant as a Material Handler until 1987 when he retired. Jack and his wife Earlene were avid travelers. From 1962 to 1996 they drove to Alaska, visited all other 49 states, most of Canada, toured Great Britain, Europe six times, and the Virgin Islands. During their many vacation adventures, Jack and Earlene covered almost a quarter of a million miles. One of Jack's interests later in life was caring for and tending to his flower gardens and potted plants. He and Earlene delighted in feeding and watching the birds and squirrels. They spent countless hours watching the birds and squirrels during all seasons. The song birds, Baltimore Orioles, finches, and humming birds were always welcomed upon their arrival to Bethany. Jack took great interest and pride in tracing the Talley family line with many others interested in the genealogy search. He could only go back to his third Great Grandfather, Prior Talley. Last, but not least, Jack dearly loved his two grand, small dogs, Snipper and Foxe. Over the years, Jack also loved seven cats of many years: Maudi, Dee Nee Bell, Sylvester, Jasper, Mollie, Gussie, and Heba (formerly known as Sheba). Jack stated: "It is my desire that this article be published in full as a tribute to my Military Service to my Country. There are too many service men that do not get any recognition for what, or where they served in during the war. Just that they served is not enough recognition." Jack compiled this obituary more than six years ago. We did our best to keep the integrity of his writing, making changes only to those who preceded him in death. Services will be Friday, July 6, 10:00am at Mercer-Adams Chapel with interment in Hillside Cemetery, Purcell, OK. Chapel Service Friday, July 6, 2012 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Mercer-Adams Chapel 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008