“Jackie Bob” (Verdeen L.) Slatten

Our mother, “Jackie Bob” (Verdeen L.) Slatten joined her loved ones in Heaven on April 20, 2019 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma following a brief illness.

Jackie Bob was born October 13, 1936 in Childress, Texas, the second daughter of Verdia (Bohannon) and George Owen. Jackie Bob was a long-time and well-known member of the Beaver County, Oklahoma community.

While still in grade school, and in the way of school children everywhere, Verdeen was given the name “Jackie Bob” due to having a crush on a playmate who was known as “Pinky Bob.” This nick-name stuck with her for the rest of her life.

Jackie Bob’s life was truly the iconic American Dream story, that through hard work and unwavering dedication even the most humble could rise to being and having anything and everything. No job was too hard or too menial for Jackie Bob. During her life, Jackie Bob worked as a caregiver, worked at every facet of farming including driving tractor and moving pipe, and could track down the most insignificant per centage of mineral rights better than any seasoned land man. She would then cook a hot meal every night for her family and find rest in the arms of her husband of nearly 62 years, Jack.

Jackie Bob was quite the cook, and there was never a soul who left her home hungry. You didn’t drop by the house but what Jack would ask, “Did you eat yet?” It got to the point that Jackie Bob would say, “While I’m cooking dinner, just pull on down to the round top and Jack will change your oil while you wait.” She always had a quick comeback, and the person who experienced her kindness and generosity was truly blessed!

On their first date, Jack took Jackie Bob to the drive-in movie theater. When Jackie Bob told Jack that the popcorn “sure smelled good,” Jack told her she should “move a little closer, so you can smell it better.” Theirs was the closest of relationships, and you rarely saw one without the other. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Amarillo, Texas and Baker, Oklahoma, before ending up in the Turpin, Oklahoma community, where they spent the last five-plus decades at their current residence near Turpin.

Jackie Bob always supported her five children – Jake, Jill, J.D., Jami, and Jeff – in their every endeavor. She attended every football or basketball game, track meet, play or Fine Arts event for twenty-two years. Although there were many long days filled with hard work, she never missed a chance to cheer for her children. She and Jack were so well-known and popular with their children’s friends that they were frequently asked to serve as class parents.

Jackie Bob and Jack were very involved with the American Ag Movement and attended rallies at the Oklahoma State Capitol and the United States Capitol.

Jackie Bob was also very well-known in the realm of oil and gas as a fierce protector, advocate, lobbyist, and activist for mineral owners’ rights. Self-taught, Jackie Bob became an expert on oil and gas law and regulation, particularly in how it was relevant to mineral owners and their rights.

Through her tenacity, Jackie Bob was the catalyst that brought about the landmark 2004 $74 million judgement in the case “Bridenstine – v – Kaiser Francis Oil.” This settlement was paid to mineral right owners predominantly located in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Ultimately, as a result of this case, oil and gas companies would pay over $2 billion in settlements to mineral right owners.

Jackie Bob is survived by the love of her life, her husband Jack; her son Jake and his wife Lesa of rural Forgan, Oklahoma; her daughter Jill Maschmeier and husband John, also of rural Forgan, Oklahoma; son John David (J.D.) and wife Shawna of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter Jami Snell and husband Kim of Frisco, Texas; son Jeff and wife Jeri of rural Forgan, Oklahoma; her sister, Georgia Watson of Lakeview, Texas; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Verdie and George Owen, her brother-in-law Bernie Watson, and one grandson, Tyson Slatten.

Alan Clark Funeral Services of Beaver, Oklahoma will coordinate a memorial service at the Turpin Baptist Church in Turpin, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 11: 00 A.M. The family appreciates the outpouring of sympathy and requests that memorials be made to the Beaver County Nursing Home in Beaver, Oklahoma.

The family will be at Alan Clark Funeral Services Tuesday night, April 23, 2019 from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M.