WENDELL HOYT CHOATE, age 96, a resident of Charleston, formerly of Dorena, died Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Born April 29, 1919 in Hickman, KY, to the late Paul Washington and Elizabeth Pickett Choate, he had lived in Mississippi County most of his life. He attended the Hickman Public Schools and graduated from Hickman High School in 1937. He attended Vanderbilt University where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi social fraternity before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Following his discharge after two years of service he returned to Hickman and was associated with his father in farming. In 1947 he purchased 600 acres of land planting main crops of cotton, soybeans, and corn. He invested in a cotton gin near his farm and took over its management in 1950.

In 1949 he and his father formed a Purebred Polled Hereford partnership and showed their cattle at shows and fairs throughout the Midwest.

A large cotton producer, he was active in the Missouri Cotton Producers Association, serving as its President in 1961. About 1957 he began to experiment in vegetable production on the rich black delta that had now been increased to about 2000 acres. He experimented with several vegetables including tomatoes, green peppers, cabbage, potatoes, squash and sweet corn. After a few years, decided that the best potential was in sweet corn. He concentrated particularly on marketing very high quality corn and using modern and intensive practices. He built a small processing plant where the corn could be cooled, washed and crated for shipment. He continued to expand the processing plant, equipping it with all new machinery, most of which he designed himself. As his production quantity became more than adequate to meet his personal needs, he made a persistent effort to encourage other farmers to begin their own production of sweet corn. Mr. Choate pioneered the idea locally of bringing the corn fields to grade and installing irrigation equipment. The expense was tremendous but proved profitable. Choate Farms sweet corn became the choice of food stores throughout the nation because of the high standard of cleanliness, freshness, and perfect quality corn.

His endeavors and accomplishments are numerous. One of the first organizations he joined was the 4H while in high school. With his help, his parents were selected for Kentucky's highest award by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture - "A Master Farm Family". In 1969, Governor Louie Nunn named him a Kentucky Colonel.

He served 13 years on the Mississippi County School Board, was active in re-organizing the county school districts and served two terms as a director of the county's first re-organized school district, the Dorena re-organized school district. He served two terms as Associate Judge on the Mississippi County Court. He helped organize Mississippi County Soil Conservation District and served as its director. He served on the Mississippi County Extension Council, was a member of the Farm Bureau and served on several statewide advisory committees.
In 1964 he was appointed by Missouri Governor John Dalton to serve on the Industrial Development Advisory Committee.

In 1967 he was appointed by Governor Warren E. Hearnes to serve on his Governor's Advisory Council in Agriculture. He was also appointed by Governor Hearnes to serve on his Environmental Pollution Committee. In 1968 he was the recipient of one of the first "Pace Setter" Awards made by the Missouri State Chamber of Commerce for outstanding agricultural achievement.

In 1969, Mr. Choate was selected as an honorary Colonel by Governor Hearnes. He served several years on the Missouri State Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Council and in 1973 was elected a director of the Missouri State Chamber of Commerce.

A supporter of the University of Missouri Extension and the Delta Center, he was active in flood control and drainage work as a member on the St. John's Levee and Drainage District Board of Supervisors and served as its vice-president.

Throughout his life, it was the smell and feel of the black delta dirt in Mississippi County that energized him. Outside of his family, he loved farming more than anything else. His most treasured accomplishments were those that promoted and improved agricultural developments.

In 1951, he married Lovell Larkins, who preceded him in death in January 1988.

Surviving are three sons, Hoyt (Renée) Choate of Hazel, KY, Dan (Carla) Choate of Ridgeway, CO, and Joey (Pam) Choate of Cottage Grove, TN; one daughter, Beth Choate of Charleston; one sister, Paula Waggener of Charleston; seven grandchildren, Clay Choate and Layla Choate both of Hazel, KY, Paul (Alison) Choate of Ouray, CO, Zachary Choate of Ridgeway, CO, Luke (Johanna) Choate of Mayfield, KY, Josh (Whitney) Choate of Charleston, and Hannah Choate of Dorena; five great grandchildren, Ava Choate, Hadley Choate, Cleo Choate, Caden Choate, and Tristin Choate.

He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Alison Choate; and one brother in law, Marion Waggener.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday, July 16, 2015, at the McMikle Funeral Home where the Funeral Service will be conducted at 10:00 am on Friday, July 17, 2015. Eulogist will be John Story of Charleston and Martin Lucas of East Prairie will officiate.

Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Clay Choate, Paul Choate, Zachary Choate, Luke Choate, Josh Choate, and John Patrick.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Mississippi County Library, PO Box 160, Charleston, Missouri 63834.