Cleon D Fails
Sep 12, 1931 - Aug 22, 2019
Posted by Ann Weber

WHINERY HUDDLESTON FUNERAL SERVICE
LAWTON, COMANCHE CO, OK
(permission granted)

Cleon D. Fails, age 87, of Mangum passed away Thursday evening, August 22, 2019.

Cleon was born on September 12, 1931 in Jester, Oklahoma to Cleburne and Vivian (Pugh) Fails. He grew up and attended school in Mangum and was a proud member of the Mangum High School Class of 1950. While in high school, Cleon excelled in sports, especially football. He and Jim Scivally were selected to represent Mangum and play in the Inaugural Green Belt Bowl All-Star Game. Cleon received several scholarships to play college football before finally deciding to play for the Central State Broncos, now known as The University of Central Oklahoma.

In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country for over three years before receiving an honorable discharge, after suffering a service injury during the Korean War.

On December 28, 1955, he married Betty Miles in Wichita Falls and they would spend the next sixty-four wonderful years together. Most people know him best as Coach Fails. He coached football in Rush Springs, Crooked Oak and Altus just to name few. In 1964, Altus appointed him head coach of the new junior high they had just built. They allowed him to choose the school colors and mascot and he quickly led the Southeast Rams to their first undefeated season. His students and athletes loved him but not nearly as much as he loved them. Cleon's love for the Lord began in his youth when he read the Bible for the first time. He was baptized and a member of the Church of Christ and his love of God and life were evident every day by the way he treated people, whether he had known them all his life or just a few minutes. In his free time, Cleon enjoyed working with his hands, playing games and watching all kinds of sports, but most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, Cleburne and Vivian Fails and one sister, Jana Fails.

Cleon is survived by his wife Betty Fails of the home; two sons, Curt Fails of Mangum and Craig Fails and wife Sandra of Lawton; three grandchildren, Micah Gautreaux and husband Taylor of Dallas, Angie Lindsay and husband Zack of Mangum and Caleb Bull of Oklahoma City; five great grandchildren, Avery, Harper, Sawyer, Addison and Jaxon; two siblings, Cleb Fails and wife Peggy of Shawnee and Sherry Avery and husband Danny of Mangum along with numerous other relatives and close friends.