Elbert Cecil Bond

Elbert Cecil Bond was born on March 6th, 1931, during the Great Depression, the 8th of 9 children in Port, Oklahoma. He grew up in Sentinel, Oklahoma where he accepted Christ and was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Sentinel.

He worked as a printer at the local newspaper while attending high school. He joined the army in 1951 and worked as a clerk in Korea. While on leave in Japan, he met his future bride. After fulfilling his initial obligation in the military, he re-enlisted and volunteered for another tour in Korea. This was all to reconnect with the love of his life and bring her home. He and Katsuko (Betty) were married on November 22, 1955. They returned to the States in 1956 with their newborn baby boy, John. While living in California, they were blessed with two other children, Gary and Terry.

The family moved back to Sentinel, where Elbert resumed his work as a printer. In the mid-1960s he then moved his family to Mangum, OK, where he and Betty resided until 2010 when she became disabled with dementia. They then moved to Oklahoma City where he provided one on one care for her until her death in 2013.

Devastated and lonely, he began to attend the Senior Center in Edmond. There he met a vibrant lady, Colita Thompson. She became his fast friend and the second love of his life. They were married in 2016 and through their marriage and her strong faith, he was able to reconnect with God. They were married for 6 wonderful years, and he was adopted into a new loving family that brought him much joy. After Colita's untimely passing, the saddened Elbert moved to independent living at Epworth Villa. There he made many close friendships including with Ferrelyn and Roberta as well as his former high school classmate, Darlene. Over the next several years at Epworth he continued to grow in his faith with godly men through attendance at a weekly Bible study program provided by Faith Bible Church. He also enjoyed a weekly Bible reading with his son on Sunday afternoons.

The night he passed, he was able to affirm his faith in Jesus as his Savior, and the assurance of the promised eternal life to his son and grandson.

"...so that you will not grieve as the rest who have no hope" -1 Thessalonians 4:13

Visitation will be held from 5pm to 7pm, Friday, November 28th at Matthews Funeral Home, Edmond, Oklahoma.

Service will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, November 29th at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel, Edmond, Oklahoma.

Burial will be held at 12:00pm, Monday, December 1st at Riverside Cemetery, Mangum, Oklahoma.