Elmwood Cemetetry

Woodward, Woodward County, Oklahoma

© Billings Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Thank You For Your Service!

Harley Colyn McLaren

October 6, 1936 ~ March 15, 2025

Harley Colyn McLaren, 88 year old Woodward resident, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025 in Shattuck. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church with Reverend Jason Dirks officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.

Harley Colyn McLaren was born on October 6,1936 in Harmon, OK to Hubert Carlysle and Florence Bell (Stoner) McLaren. He grew up with 3 brothers and 3 sisters. They made their home in the Woodward area.

Colyn graduated from Woodward High School in 1956. When he was 20 years of age, he entered the United States Army. He served at Camp Walter's in Mineral Wells, TX from September 23, 1958 to September 22, 1961. He moved back to Woodward where he worked for several years in the City of Woodward Public Works Department. He then began working as a Heavy Equipment Operator in the oil field. He later started his own business Landscaping of W.W. Inc. in the early 80's where he continued the same type of work. That business eventually became Supervac of W.W., cleaning and striping parking lots in NW Oklahoma. He retired in 1997.

In 1962 he met and married Carolyn Sue Johnson. They had two girls, RaNita and Kimberly. Colyn also parented his stepson, Harvey Fisher and was involved in raising his niece and nephews Catherine, Russell and Joe Eike. They divorced in 1969.

He met and married Erma Hollen in 1970. They loved and cared for each other until she passed away in 2003. He enjoyed being a part of her kids' lives. Dyerl Coram, Murla Gann and Gary Hollen and their families.

Around 2007 he met Paula Jackson and they became very close friends until her death in 2021. They spent many years being involved in the Senior Citizen Center and Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church where they were both members.

Dad, grandpa, great grandpa and Uncle Colyn will be missed by all his family. He was much loved.

He is preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings, Carolyn Doyle, Erma McLaren, Paula Jackson, stepsons Dyerl Coram and Gary Hollen. He is survived by his daughters RaNita and husband Kenneth King of Woodward and Kim and husband Terry Acosta of Woodward, stepdaughter Murla Gann of Oklahoma City and numerous grandkids, great grandkids and his nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Woodward Senior Citizens Center with the funeral home accepting the contributions.