Bernard L Nine

Bernard Landon Nine was born at home north of Gage OK  Dec 19, 1923. He just turned 94 years old and was still feeding cattle most evey day and often bought a few cattle at the sale. His parents were BJ and Edna and his older brothers were Raymond and Kenneth. Bernard graduated in 1940 from Laverne and attended Panhandle College for 5 days. His advisor said if you will stick around I will make a farmer or rancher out of you so he decided he might as well go home to learn that. As a 14 and 15 year old kid he worked 2 summers for Arch McGuire for one dollar a day. Then ran cattle with his dad and later himself.

One childhood memory of his was the English teacher thought he copied from Fritz Wheeler and Evelyn Rolf. That was not the truth – “the truth was Fritz and I had both copied off of her.” My brothers and I hunted coyotes with a horse and dog for 10 years.

Bernard first met his wife roller skating. He skated up by her as a young girl and said when you grow up I want to go with you. They later married at the Fairview Methodist Church near Slapout and have been married over 69 years.

He rode a horse most all his life and would ride his horse to church 4 miles and if he had enough money he would go by Slapout to get something to eat. He rodeoed  4 or 5 years with Oden Shepard, Earl Alley, and Pauli Bentley. Once he entered a rodeo at Dodge City and his part of the winnings was $11.25. He felt rich as that was 2 weeks worth of work. He and his brothers once bought a box of cherry chocolates for his Mom but the temptation was too great so by the time they got home to give it to her they had eaten the bottom layer, but still looking like it was full. The family had 1 pickup for 2 adults and 3 boys to share. The highlight as a kid was hoping to go to Laverne on a Saturday night to the drugstore and theater. He has always had a love for sports but with the family having only one pickup, he didn’t get to play sports in high school. However he played softball for many years and also coached the women’s softball. He played tennis in his cowboy boots with one year winning with his partner Delvin Jett. He also played horseshoes at Slapout on Sunday.

Some of his fondest memories were gathering cattle with his good friend Kenneth Pinkard. When asked about his kids he said he had 2 boys and 2 girls – spoiled as could possibly be, with eleven grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He said he would have bought more land when it was ten dollars per acre, but couldn’t borrow the money to buy it. When he asked if he had accomplished all his dreams he said not quite I still like to run cattle. When asked what legacy do you leave behind? He said Methodist church and hope all of his family is interested in church and  honest. The biggest part of Bernard’s life was spent feeding cattle but he and Phyllis always made time for their grandkids sports and events.

Preceeding him in death was his parents, Ben & Edna Nine and his 2 brothers, Raymond Nine and Kenneth Nine, and a granddaughter Hallie Ann Nine.

Survivors- wife Phyllis, of the home, 4 children and spouses, 11 grandchildren &  their spouses, 14 great grandchildren, and many friends and family.

To Honor Bernard's Request Please Wear Blue Jeans and White Shirts.

To Honor The Family's Request Bring Your Horse If You Wish. 

Part of the procession to the cemetery will be horse and wagon you are welcome to join in.

Please Note Funeral Service Starts At Noon