Byron Lane Searles

© Roberts Reed-Culver Funeral Home
January 25, 2013
Submitted by: Martha Real

Byron Lane Searles was born on February 18, 1929 in Cameron, Oklahoma to Clarence and Louise (Gray) Searles. He passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 25, 2013 after a brief illness.

Byron attended Cameron Public Schools through High School. At 20 years of age, Byron enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He entered active duty on April 29, 1952 in Oklahoma City, OK. He served as an aircraft engine mechanic with travels to San Diego, CA; Jacksonville, FL and Memphis, TN. Byron was honorably discharged from the service on April 28, 1954 as a Sergeant E4 at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in California. Byron served six years in the Marine Reserves.

Following active duty in the Marine Corp, he attended Poteau Junior College and graduated with Bachelor degrees in English and Art from Southeastern State College. Graduate work in Vocational Auto Mechanics was completed at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK.

Byron had just returned to Cameron, OK from military service when he met his future wife, Virginia Self, of Westville, OK. Virginia was a Home Economics teacher in Cameron Public Schools along with his mother who taught High School English. Byron and Virginia were wed on July 24, 1958 and celebrated 54 years together in 2012.

In 1957, Byron began his career with Tahlequah Public Schools, setting up the vocational auto mechanics program in an empty factory building. He served as the Senior Sponsor for 25 years and was Department Chair upon retirement in June 1990. Byron enjoyed educating students for 33 years. Visiting with his students and seeing their success was one of Byron’s greatest pleasures.

Byron enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, growing fruit and visiting farm shows. He loved taking care of his farm and baling hay with Mike. Byron enjoyed trips to Canada to fish and going to see his sister in California. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and traveling with Virginia. One of the greatest joys in his later years was caring for his dog, Lady. Byron was a lifelong member of the Cherokee Masonic Lodge#10 in Tahlequah, OK and worked with the Boy Scouts at Camp Fred Darby in Welling, OK.

Byron was preceded in death by his parents and his twin brother, Bryan. He is survived by wife, Virginia; son Mike Ghormley and wife Sue Ann of Westville, OK; grandchildren: Aaron Ghormley and wife Heather of Cincinnati, AR; Brett Ghormley and Amber Ghormley, both of Westville, great grandchildren, Beau Ghormley and Harper Ghormley of Cincinnati; brother, Clarence Patrick Searles and wife Merle of Cameron, OK; sister, Minnie Louise Johnson of Carmichael, CA; sister-in-law, Carmen Searles of Lafayette, LA and a host of nieces, nephews and good friends.

Funeral services were held at 11 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at Roberts & Hart Chapel with Bro. Jim Beavers officiating. Interment followed at Westville City Cemetery.