Funeral service for SFC (Retired) John William Cape will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 17, 2026 in Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Veterans Field of Honor at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

SFC (Retired) John William Cape passed away peacefully on Friday, July 10, 2026 in Lawton, Oklahoma at the age of 84. He was born December 29, 1941 in Lawton, Oklahoma to William T. "Tom" and Mary Nell (Jarvis) Cape.

He married Edwina Jacquilin "Jackie" Green in August 1972 in Ada, Oklahoma, and to this union, they welcomed their daughter, Cynthia "Cindy" Cape, in 1973.

On December 29, 1989, John married Linda Faye Tilghman (Hobbs) in Wichita Falls, Texas. John and Linda cherished their time in Kansas City, but made Lawton, Oklahoma their permanent home. Together they spent countless hours driving through the open countryside.

John answered the call to serve his country in 1966, embarking on a distinguished career in the U.S. Army serving as a Practical Nurse and Medical Specialist until his retirement in April of 1984 with the rank of Sergeant First Class. During his distinguished career he received many awards and decorations to include the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Two Overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Expert (rifle-M16), Expert (pistol .38), Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Following his retirement, he continued his nursing career, working at Reynolds Army Community Hospital, Southwestern Medical Center and at Fort Sill's minor care clinic and emergency room.

John was a devoted provider who loved to tease and playfully pick at those he held closest to his heart. He loved big and followed Linda's lead, always letting her do whatever she wanted when it came to spoiling their grandchildren and great-grands.

A faithful member of the Parklane Church of Christ, John was well-known for his vibrant personality. He loved watching war movies (obnoxiously loud) and loved chatting on the HAM radio with the call sign KF5FHT through the National Association for Amateur Radio. John also possessed patience for the things he enjoyed; he could happily spend hours wandering through a department store or tinkering with gadgets-often adjusting things that weren't even broken before he started.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda; three children: Alesia Dugan Moffett and husband, John, of California, Kevin Tilghman and wife, Misty, of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Keith Tilghman and wife, Roma, of Edmond, Oklahoma; four grandchildren: Kimberli Burk, Tyler Tilghman, Wesley Tilghman, and Kourtney Mason; six great-grandchildren: Lacey Lynn, Blake, Ian, Jourdyn, Kendalyn, and Daxyn; sister-in-law, Doris Hall; and niece Kelli Hall.

John was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Cindy Cape; his parents; and two uncles, Jack Cape and Buster Cape.

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com