Ronnie Lee Layman

Ronnie Lee Layman, 68, passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at his home. Ronnie was born on November 7, 1947 in Vivian, Oklahoma to Alonzo and Lorene (Brandon) Layman. Ronnie grew up on his family"s dairy farm and attended Stidham School throughout his school years, graduating there in 1966. He attended Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton where he received his associate"s degree. After college, Ronnie went home to help his father on the farm, and ended up raising his sons there. On the farm, he taught Ronnie Jr., Brian, Daniel and Stanley, among many other boys their age, how to be hard workers. They milked cows for over 40 years. Rain or shine, sweltering July heat or blistering January winds, the work was still done. Many summer breaks were spent in the hayfields, with a lot of time spent working on worn out equipment under the closest shade tree. Lots of repairs were made there, but lots of bonds formed also. He was elected as District 3 County Commissioner in McIntosh County in 2002, serving two terms in that position. After being elected, the family made the tough decision to sell all of the dairy cattle; but Ronnie was always a Farmer at heart, so he ventured into the beef cattle industry. He wasn"t one to spend money on frivolous things like clothes, homes or automobiles, but his family never did without. He was always looking at the bigger picture, and the legacy that he could leave for his family, always planning for their future. He enjoyed drinking coffee and talking about the cattle market at Mission Acres and Seasonal Snacks, preferring to sit on the bench out front where he could easily converse with the regulars. Early mornings, locals always knew who was holding up the traffic on Highway 9 west from Seasonal Snacks to the farm; he was never in a hurry to get anywhere. In a world where everything has become fast paced, Ronnie took his time and lived every moment to the fullest, taking time to stop and appreciate the little things. Ronnie enjoyed being around his grandchildren and his great-grandson. There wasn"t anything he wouldn"t do for his family. He will be missed by many, but forgotten by none. Survivors include: his sons, Ronnie Layman, Jr. and wife Stephanie, Brian Layman, Daniel Layman, and Stanley Layman and wife Jennifer Watson all of Eufaula; his brothers, Lonnie (Babe) Layman and wife Mary Ann of Chickasha, Gary (Pot) Layman and wife Sherry of Ruidoso, New Mexico and Don Layman of Eufaula; his sisters, Sue Gorby of Eufaula, Martha Vanzant of Lahaina, Hawaii, Penny Greco & husband Marty of Stigler, Connie Oliver of Orlando, Florida and Caroline Harrell and husband Grady of Chickasha, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law, Freida Layman and Glenda Layman Hamilton both of Eufaula; seven grandchildren, David, Jessie, Ashley, Whitney, Ryan, Dalaina Layman, Stetson Youngblood and great-grandson, River. Companion and lifelong friend, Jeannie Franken. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, John & Clonnie Layman and a baby sister, Alesia.