In Memory of
Lions Who Have Passed.
Martin Ezra Dyer
1928-2021
Martin was born February 8, 1928 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. to Ezra and Gladys (Martin) Dyer. He departed this life of January 5, 2021 at his home in Ardmore.
Martin was a graduate of Ardmore High School and went on to achieve his Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Oklahoma. He and Phyllis Brooks married June 9, 1956 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They were married for 60 years.
Martin served on the Ardmore City Commission for 39 years, 8 of those years serving as Mayor, and was selected as Oklahoma’s Mayor of the year in 2017 for cities over 5,000 in population. Martin served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and has been a practicing attorney in Ardmore since 1954. Martin was recently recognized for having served as the attorney for the Ardmore City School District for the past 65 years and has been an active member of the Ardmore Lions Club for 65 years. Theater was a big part of Martin’s life for over 40 years in which he appeared in more than 20 Ardmore Little Theater productions, often playing lead or supporting roles in musicals or comedies. He also served on the Ardmore Little Theater Board for 27 years.
Billy Francis Thompson
1936-2021
Billy Francis Thompson, age 85, passed away at his home in Ardmore, Okla., surrounded by his family. Billy was employed with the Department of Transportation for the State of Oklahoma.
Lyndell P. Worthen
1920-2016
Lynn was born November 5, 1920 in Osage County, Illinois, to Thomas Worthen and Laura Eunice King Worthen. He was the third child of nine children. He departed this life December 16, 2016 in Ardmore. He attended school in Southern Illinois. His mother passed away when he was 16 and Lynn helped care for his younger brother and four sisters. He worked in coal mine to support his family. At 18, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and was stationed at Isle Royal National Park, Michigan. His monthly salary was $25.00 mailed to his father and $5.00 for him.
On December 27, 1941 he married the love of his life, Evelyn Knox, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In September 1942 Lynn entered the US Army. He was assigned to the 13th Armored Division, 46th Tank Battalion. He was stationed in California and Texas. In January 1945 he was shipped to France. His unit fought through Northern France and Germany under General Patton. In May 1945 his unit linked up with the Russian units in Austria, near Hitler’s birth place. He returned to the states in late 1945 and was discharged. His sons, Ronald and Lyndell were born during the time he was in the Army.
John L. (Johnny) Anderson
1947-2015
John “Johnny” L. Anderson age 68, was graciously welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus on Saturday, June 13, 2015, at his home in Dickson, OK.
John was born on May 17, 1947, to L.V. Anderson and Helen Ruth (Jones) Anderson at Wichita, Kansas. His family moved to Dallas where he went to school and graduated from Sunset High School. He went on to further studies at the University of Arlington and Dallas Baptist University. John married the love of his life, Miss Terry Jean Speck, on July 8, 1967, at Dallas, Texas.
At the time of his passing, the couple had been married for 48 years, and have two sons and five grandchildren. After 28 years in the oil business as a draftsman and later a manager, John and Terry went on the road going to RV shows and arts and crafts shows across the country for six years.
John loved the open road and photographing the beautiful areas they traveled through. He was an avid fisherman and the outdoors held a special place in John’s heart. In 2000, John and Terry settled in Ardmore, OK., and soon after, opened “My Hangup”. Together they built “My Hangup” into a thriving business for 14 years. This let John to being active in many local charities and fundraisers in the community. John loved Terry’s mother, Bette Speck, and her brother, Jerry Speck. They spent many nights together, enjoying each other’s company.
Constance Snider
1921 - 2014
The daughter of the late Miles L. and Minta Ethel Hooter Seaborn, Constance was born February 14, 1921 in Shamrock, Oklahoma and passed away on May 14, 2014 in Woodward, Oklahoma.
She and Vencent F. Snider were married in Oklahoma City in 1939 and he preceded her in death July 28, 1990. She was also preceded in death by an infant son Robert T. Snider, her sister Pollyanna and a brother Miles L. Seaborn, Jr.
A resident of Ardmore for over forty years, Constance was a member of the First Baptist Church, a member of the Ardmore Lions Club and had the honor of being the first Lady Lion in Oklahoma. She was a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy, WMU of the First Baptist Church and active in the Philharmonic.
José Mendez
1927-2012
Born to the late Juan and Rosa Rodriguez Mendez, January 28, 1927 at Laredo, Texas, Jose died at his Ardmore residence Monday, February 27, 2012 following an extended illness.
During World War II, Jose served in the Army of Occupation of the U. S. Army in Germany and was awarded the Victory Ribbon with 1 overseas service bar.
In 1986 he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mundelein College, Chicago, Illinois and in 1989 his Masters Degree in Bilingual Education from the National College of Education in Evanston, Illinois. He taught English as a second language for many years at the J. N. Thorp School in Chicago to elementary and college students.
He and Olga M. Vazquez were married June 19, 1971 in Chicago; they came to Ardmore in 1986. Jose was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church; St. Mary's Men's Club and was a member of the Lions Club. Jose was An active volunteer; at the Ardmore Public Schools, helping students with reading and comprehension, with the HOSTS program, Helping One Student To Succeed; he was involved with RSVP and for ten years volunteered with the Mercy Memorial Auxiliary, where he is remembered being at the pop-corn machine, always eager to be of service and of help to others; with a big smile on his face and twinkle in his eye.
Marvin Carl Polzien
1929-2011
Born at Wall Lake, Sac County, Iowa, on July 30, 1929, to the late Carl and Matilda (Karsten) Polzien, Marvin died July 27, 2011 in the local hospital, Ardmore, Oklahoma.
He grew up in Sac County, Iowa and graduated from Lake View High School in l947; and from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Economics in 1956. During the Korean War Marvin served honorably in the U. S. Army.
He and Dora Lou Freeman were married December 27, 1950 at Wall Lake, Iowa. They were the parents of two children, a son, Jeff and daughter, Julie.
The owner of Guest Inn Motels in Ardmore and Norman, Oklahoma, Marvin was the past president of the Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association and served on the board of directors of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. A member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, he was baptized and confirmed at the Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake, Iowa. Marvin was also a member of the Ardmore Lions Club and was a Patriot Guard Rider.
Remembered locally for his Hot Air Ballooning, Marvin was an airplane pilot and once flew a single engine Bonanza from Ardmore across the Western United States and the Pacific Ocean to Australia. Some of his other interests that he actively pursued were power parachuting, homemade blimps, and riding his ‘Harley’ throughout the country. Some of his and Dora’s favorite times were spent motor homing countrywide.
Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Dora Polzien, of the home; a son and his wife, Jeff Marvin and Cathy Polzien, Oklahoma City; a daughter and her husband, Julie Ann and Mike Brady, Healdton, Oklahoma; a brother, LaVern Polzien, Lake View, Iowa; a sister, Phyllis Morris, Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren, Caitlin Polzien Silver and her husband, Randy, and Allison Polzien of Oklahoma City; Justin Brady, Denver, Colorado, Jennifer Munholland and her husband, Jeff, Ardmore, Jared Brady and fiancé, Daryn Adams, Houston, Texas; great grandchildren, Aimery Brady and Ella Munholland. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Iris Meyer.
Rachel Crawford Hamilton
1975 - 2008
Rachel was born June 30, 1975, in Bowie, Texas, to Dan and Sherry Cooper Crawford. She was employed as a manager for Marriott Hotel. Survivors include a son, Brennan Hamilton, and a daughter, Taylor Hamilton, both of Ardmore; and two brothers: Danny Crawford of Greenville, Texas, and Eric Crawford of Hazlet, Texas.
Carl A Denham
1928 - 2006
Born on Oct. 15, 1928, in Tulsa to John and Alfa Snyder Denham, he died on Dec. 5, 2006, at his Ardmore residence. He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant sister, Donna Marie Denham.
Carl was the epitome of the American Dream. He was born into poverty. With tenacity and much hard work, he began working at age 12 by walking into town on winter mornings to Dr. Sperry’s house to light his furance while living in Columbus, Kansas, Later, to help his family, he worked for Roberts IGA plucking chickens, also in Columbus. He anticipated going to Tulsa to further his education at Tulsa University. However, when his mother passed away, he took his savings to pay for her funeral so they county did not have to put her away.
Carl and the former Carol “Tootie” Isaacs were married on Sep., 12, 1947, in Tulsa.
He continued working hard, beginning he career with Oklahoma Natural Gas in Tulsa in June of 1946. He worked faithfully for 45 years, retiring as area marketing manager in 1986 in Ardmore. He immediately became active in the ONG Ongoers Club, serving as president the last two years. Carl was always active civically because of his younger years. He participated in the annual Children’s Christmas Parade as parade marshal. He became a member of the Lions Club, Ardmore Chapter, in June of 1960. Unless he was out of town, he never missed a meeting. He was dedicated to serving in every capacity for 46 years. He loved his fellow Lion members as family. He and his wife of 59 years were also active members of Good neighbor Sam Club, the Southern Oklahoma Sam Chapter.
Jo Ann Hudson
1932-2004
Born June 3, 1932 in Tampa, Fla. to Jack and Sally Reed Housh, she died April 15, 2004 at her residence. She married Paul Hudson May 22, 1950 in Hobbs, N.M. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a son, David Hudson.
Mrs. Hudson had been a resident of Ardmore for the past 15 years. Previously she lived in Fort Worth, Texas. She was an active member of the Ardmore Lions Club and served as past president. Mrs. Hudson was a member of the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and was awarded “Ambassador of the Year” in 2000.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law. Paula Jo and Alex Miller, Wilson and Teresa Ann and Melvin Roberts, Ardmore; five grandchildren Melissa Henderson, Jennifer Turner, Michael Miller, Bobby Hudson, all Ardmore, and Bryce Hudson, Wilson; and great grandchildren, Garrett Lambert, Molly Miller, Devin Henderson, Paul Beach, Kenton Turner and Logan Miller, all Ardmore.
Wiltz B. ‘Trib’ Trible II
1914-2002
Born on July 12, 1914 in Denver, Colo., to Wiltz and Ethel Leppere Trible, he died Nov. 2, 2002 at his residence. Mr. Trible in early years attended Independence High School and the Military academy in Claremore, Okla. Later he attended the University of Kansas and University of Wisconsin.
Mr. Trible had lived in the Ardmore area since 1973, moving here from Dallas. He was a member of First Christian Church, Ardmore Lions Club, Masonic Lodge and was also a Shriner. The Tiny Chapel East of Dickson, Okla., which provided inspiration and comfort to so many, was built and maintained by Mr. Trible. He donated the land for this to be built. Mr. Trible was a rancher.
He’s survived by two sons, Richard E. Trible of Rockwall, Texas and Wiltz B. Trible III of Dallas; two daughters, Vicki Hudgins of Albuquerque, N.M., and Carol Hoffman of San Antonio; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter, Sue Lynn Haddeway.
Thomas Branson Baker
1938 - 2001
The son of the late William Frank and Willie Rhea Tiller Baker, Branson was born June 16, 1938, in Luling, Texas. He was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. William F. Baker Jr., in 1979.
A member of the Ardmore Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he had served as a deacon, Branson was the former owner of Baker’s House of Flowers in Ardmore and joined the staff of Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home in 1985. After completing his licensed apprenticeship, he attended the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science and graduated with honors in 1990. He returned to Havey-Douglas Funeral Home as a licensed funeral director and professional embalmer. He was forced to retire in 2000 due to failing health.
Branson had also attended Pierce Junior College in San Fernando Valley, California, where he received extensive training in floral design and business. He was also a graduate of Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. While in the floral business, he was selected to decorate the White House and worked with first lady Betty Ford. Active in civic affairs, Branson was a member and past president of the Ardmore Lions Club.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Sharee and Lloyd Franks, and Hollye and Alan Gorrell, both of Ardmore; a son, Mark Baker, San Antonio; a sister, Sue Wilson, Oklahoma City; a brother Keats Baker, Fullerton, California; and four grandchildren, Brett and Morgan Baker, Grant Gorrell and Tyler Franks, all of Ardmore.