Obituary for Janie Claunch
Janella “Janie” Baker Claunch was born December 13, 1936, in Shattuck, Oklahoma, to Rev. George Bryan and Delana (Elbertson) Baker. She completed this life on Thursday, November 19, 2022, at the age of 85.
Janie was the daughter of an Oklahoma United Methodist Pastor. Her family moved to Weatherford, Oklahoma when she was in grade school after living in several small Oklahoma towns where her fathered pastored.
Janie met the love of her life, Loren Tommie Claunch, in the third grade. They were married on April 17, 1953, and he preceded her in death on July 17, 1973.
Janie graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a degree in Elementary Education, while she simultaneously raised four children; they all attended her graduation. She had two more children before residing in Waco, Texas for a short time. Then, she and her family moved back to Oklahoma. She gave birth to a baby, Cara Leanne, born premature in 1970. As a single mother, after the untimely death of her husband, she continued to raise their six children. Eventually, she began working outside of the home for the first time in her life. She tried her hand at real estate and ultimately found her niche in the mortgage industry.
In 1989 she made a big move to Dallas, Texas in order to further her career. She made several good friends there and by this time had become a wonderful grandmother who always made time for her grandchildren. Janie returned to Oklahoma City where she continued to work for MidFirst in the year 2000. At the age of 79 she decided it was finally time to retire and enjoy more time with her family.
Janie was an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and great aunt. She dedicated her entire life to her family and even to her extended family. An amazing cook, baker, avid sports fan and patron of the fine arts, Janie enjoyed expanding her knowledge of the world and passed down her skills and talents to all who followed. While she may have spent much of her life on the sidelines or in the stands, her love and support helped to shape every member of her family.
She was a fierce fan of every team sport that aired on television, especially when the Oklahoma Sooners or the OKC Thunder played. She also loved to play games and won more than she lost. Her house was always open to family and friends and any friend of her family’s. Many considered her to be their adopted mom and favorite aunt; she was welcoming, non-judgmental, and always there.
In addition to her parents, husband, and daughter, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Martha Brewer, Roberta Sappington, Georgia Lee Baker and Mary Lynn Baker.
Janie is survived by her sons, Tony Dale Claunch (Pam), Thomas Neal Claunch, Mitchell Dean Claunch (Sheryle), Joe Claunch and Todd Claunch, and her daughter, Candi Claunch; her grandchildren, Amy Loren Potts (Mike), Kelly Joe Claunch, Sarah Michelle Claunch, Kayla Bee Thompson (Bryan), and Casey Michaela Claunch and her fiancé Paige LaBadie; her great-grandchildren, Carter, Skyler, Josalyn, August, Julian, Jaison and Liam; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be 10:00 AM Monday, November 28, 2022 in the Vondel Smith Mortuary North Colonial Chapel, 13125 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Methodist Flying M Ranch, 97332 Highway 10A, Gore, OK, United States, 74435. (Formerly called the Oklahoma Methodist Boys Ranch.)
www.circleofcare.org
Janie was the daughter of an Oklahoma United Methodist Pastor. Her family moved to Weatherford, Oklahoma when she was in grade school after living in several small Oklahoma towns where her fathered pastored.
Janie met the love of her life, Loren Tommie Claunch, in the third grade. They were married on April 17, 1953, and he preceded her in death on July 17, 1973.
Janie graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a degree in Elementary Education, while she simultaneously raised four children; they all attended her graduation. She had two more children before residing in Waco, Texas for a short time. Then, she and her family moved back to Oklahoma. She gave birth to a baby, Cara Leanne, born premature in 1970. As a single mother, after the untimely death of her husband, she continued to raise their six children. Eventually, she began working outside of the home for the first time in her life. She tried her hand at real estate and ultimately found her niche in the mortgage industry.
In 1989 she made a big move to Dallas, Texas in order to further her career. She made several good friends there and by this time had become a wonderful grandmother who always made time for her grandchildren. Janie returned to Oklahoma City where she continued to work for MidFirst in the year 2000. At the age of 79 she decided it was finally time to retire and enjoy more time with her family.
Janie was an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and great aunt. She dedicated her entire life to her family and even to her extended family. An amazing cook, baker, avid sports fan and patron of the fine arts, Janie enjoyed expanding her knowledge of the world and passed down her skills and talents to all who followed. While she may have spent much of her life on the sidelines or in the stands, her love and support helped to shape every member of her family.
She was a fierce fan of every team sport that aired on television, especially when the Oklahoma Sooners or the OKC Thunder played. She also loved to play games and won more than she lost. Her house was always open to family and friends and any friend of her family’s. Many considered her to be their adopted mom and favorite aunt; she was welcoming, non-judgmental, and always there.
In addition to her parents, husband, and daughter, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Martha Brewer, Roberta Sappington, Georgia Lee Baker and Mary Lynn Baker.
Janie is survived by her sons, Tony Dale Claunch (Pam), Thomas Neal Claunch, Mitchell Dean Claunch (Sheryle), Joe Claunch and Todd Claunch, and her daughter, Candi Claunch; her grandchildren, Amy Loren Potts (Mike), Kelly Joe Claunch, Sarah Michelle Claunch, Kayla Bee Thompson (Bryan), and Casey Michaela Claunch and her fiancé Paige LaBadie; her great-grandchildren, Carter, Skyler, Josalyn, August, Julian, Jaison and Liam; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be 10:00 AM Monday, November 28, 2022 in the Vondel Smith Mortuary North Colonial Chapel, 13125 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Memorials may be made to the Oklahoma Methodist Flying M Ranch, 97332 Highway 10A, Gore, OK, United States, 74435. (Formerly called the Oklahoma Methodist Boys Ranch.)
www.circleofcare.org