Skiatook meat shop owner savored work, life

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Services are Thursday for Alex Noble, who died Sunday following a heart attack.

Alex Noble "probably cut more than 7 million pounds of meat, and that's a conservative estimate," his son Nick Noble said. Courtesy

By TIM STANLEY World Staff Writer
Published: 10/28/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 11/7/2009 8:57 AM

SKIATOOK — With apologies to his prize-winning steaks, the real meat of Alex Noble's story was the meat cutter himself, a hard-working bull of a man who for six decades bit off as much life as he could chew.

"We were probably the last family to get a VCR and the last to get a satellite," said Nick Noble, Alex Noble's younger son.

He said that when his father was home, the former Pawnee County farm boy would romp with his children outdoors, riding them around on his tractor or taking them fishing or to baseball tournaments in his big, white meat-delivery van.

But as Alex Noble, who operated Noble's Town & Country Meats in Skiatook, taught his boys, the day's work had to be finished first.

Every weekday, beginning at 4 a.m. and often continuing for 15 unabated hours, Noble threw his 6-foot-4-inch, 280-pound frame fully into his work at his beloved shop.

Hoisting side after side of beef from the cooler to the cutting table, his familiar apron would quickly become smeared with grime, Nick Noble remembers.

Until a recent health decline, "Big Al" or "Chief," as he was often called by loyal customers, never missed a day of work for illness, Nick Noble said.

"From the time he opened Noble's Custom Butchering, he probably cut more than 7 million pounds of meat, and that's a conservative estimate," he said.

Alex Noble, who operated the butcher shop for eight years before opening Town & Country in 1982, died Sunday after suffering a heart

attack and a long battle with diabetes. He was 62.

Memorial services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Skiatook United Methodist Church. Services are under the direction of Sien-Shelton Funeral Home.

"He wasn't a flashy guy," Nick Noble said. "But he was a man who would do anything for anybody, whether for his church or the kids with the local FFA. His biggest attribute was his heart. It was just overworked and gave out after 62 years."

Diabetes was a frustrating struggle for Alex Noble, who had to endure dialysis three days a week for his failing kidneys.

It forced him to cut back on work and on some of his favorite activities, such as taking his meats to compete at the Oklahoma-Texas Meat Processor Association's annual conventions, which he usually dominated.

"We had to quit that," Nick Noble said. "The other guys joked with him that now they could finally win. Well, in 2006 we went one more time. And Dad, even in his condition, took home an armful of awards."

Before going into the meat business, Noble served in the National Guard from 1966 to 1972, including working at the historic riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

He also is survived by his wife, Frances Noble; another son, Jesse Noble, and two grandchildren.

Tim Stanley 581-8385
tim.stanley@tulsaworld.com

By TIM STANLEY World Staff Writer

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mayor_maynot, Tulsa (10 months ago)

Mmmmmmm that's a spicy story.

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mayor_maynot, Tulsa (10 months ago)

My condolences to the family I'm sure he will be missed.

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Woofenburger, Hominy (10 months ago)

He was a great guy. He was always glad to see ya.

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SkiatookMeanJean , (10 months ago)

Alex Noble was a Skiatook institution. He was a good man and will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to his lovely wife, Frances and the kids.

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wandatag, (10 months ago)

My heart goes out to you Frances. I just found out today from Virgina. Alex has made it to the very awesome place in God's home but I know he will be missed. I have not seen you all in years but can still hear his 'Alex laugh' and see his smile. I think of our high school years and know you met Mr Right and how proud you are having all these years together. This was an awesome article above that really described who Alex was. Your boys are so lucky to have parents like you and Alex where they learned what life is really about. I wish all parents followed the same path.
Hugs from a very ole friend, Wanda

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