Robert Leroy 'Bud' Luper

Robert Leroy "Bud" Luper passed away, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, service, and love for his family and community. Born on November 25, 1928, to Charley Clark and Faye Gertrude (Hackleman) Luper on their family farm near Cowden, Oklahoma, Bud was the sixth of seven children.
Bud graduated from Cowden School in 1946, completing all 12 years there, and even drove a school bus while attending. After high school, he farmed with his father until he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict on May 31, 1951. He completed basic training at Fort Ord in California and served as a supply truck driver in Korea for 18 months. Bud was honorably discharged on May 14, 1953, and returned home to continue farming.
On June 7, 1958, Bud married Reta Faye King of Alfalfa, Oklahoma. They lived in south-central Kansas for a year while Reta Faye completed her teaching contract. The couple then returned to the Alfalfa - Cowden area to live and work on the family farm home where Bud was raised. Bud and Reta Faye were married for over 48 years until her passing on June 22, 2006.
Bud and Reta Faye welcomed their first daughter Debra on June 29, 1959. Their second daughter was born September 10, 1960. Raising their daughters, Bud farmed while Reta Faye taught elementary and business classes at Alfalfa and then Carnegie schools. Debra and Denise attend the Alfalfa School through the 8th grade then graduated from Carnegie High School. Bud insisted that his daughters continue their education and both graduated from Oklahoma State University.
Bud was a dedicated farmer, raising wheat, cotton, and peanuts, and operating a small cow-calf herd. In 2017, he received the Oklahoma Centennial Farm Award for his family's farm being continuously operated for over 100 years.
Professing his faith in Jesus Christ at a young age, Bud was baptized and was a lifelong member of the Alfalfa Methodist Church where he served on numerous committees throughout the years.
Bud was proud of his service in the U.S. Army and was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post 156. He and Reta Faye decorated veterans’ graves at the Alfalfa Cemetery with U.S. flags on Memorial Day for many years. And for many years, Bud also traveled with other members of the American Legion to several area cemeteries to conduct Memorial Day services to honor deceased veterans.
Active in his community, Bud served on the Carnegie Coop board, the Cowden Cotton Gin Board, and was a member of the Carnegie Roundup Club. He enjoyed riding his horse in local parades and refereeing basketball games. Bud loved sports, especially baseball, and often traveled to watch his grandsons play. After retiring, Bud and Reta Faye spent winters in Winter Haven, Florida, attending Boston Red Sox spring training games and watched his friend Durwood Merrill umpire. And although he had no sons, he played a lot of catch with his two young daughters making sure that the girls knew how to catch and throw a baseball!
Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Reta Faye; his parents, his brothers, Byron and Kenneth; his sisters; Wilda Haley, Alva Frances Schultz, and Ruby Nell Mitchell, and his granddaughter, Jeanna Mickley Tate. He is survived by his daughters, Debra Mickley and husband Doug of rural Alfalfa, Oklahoma, and Denise Jeter and husband Kevin of rural Ramona, Oklahoma; his grandchildren, Dakota Streber of rural Shawnee, Oklahoma, Dillon Streber and wife Kaitlin of Enid, Oklahoma, Dalton Streber and wife Demi of Chickasha, Oklahoma, Matt Mickley and wife Holly of Yukon, Oklahoma, Jessica Quade and husband Matt of Waco, Texas, Jennifer Sellers and husband Matt of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, by fourteen great grandchildren, Kassidy, Brody, Caden, Langston, Remi, Zoe, Lane, Logan, Noah, Caleb, Joshua, Grace Lydia, Parker, and baby boy on the way; and by his brother Bill Luper and wife Mary of rural Eakly, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alfalfa Cemetery Association at Alfalfa Cemetery Association, c/o Gail Shaw, 20101 State Hwy 58 Carnegie, OK 73015, or the or the Carnegie Food Pantry at 20 S. Broadway, P.O. Box 601, Carnegie, OK 73015.
Bud's life was a testament to hard work, faith, deep friendships and community service. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Visitation is scheduled for 1-8 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, and from 1-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 2. The family will be welcoming guest from 4-6 p.m. at Ray & Martha's Funeral Home in Carnegie, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Ray & Martha's Funeral Home in Carnegie, Oklahoma. Interment will be in the Alfalfa Cemetery in Alfalfa, Oklahoma.