Alva Review-Courier -

Forrest Everett LeCrone Sr. was born May 01, 1928, in Beaver County, Oklahoma, at the family farm to Emery and Beulah LeCrone. He was the first born of seven children. He went to be with his Lord on March 19, 2024, in Enid, Oklahoma, at the age of 96 years, 10 months, 18 days after battling cancer. He never complained about pain; he would just say "God won't give us more than we can handle."

He went to school in Laverne, Oklahoma, then Rosston, Oklahoma. He was saved at age 9, then again at 81 years old, where he was a member of the Chisholm Trail Cowboy Church. He rededicated his life to God, and he could recite any Bible verse you threw at him. He loved to tell people about the great man upstairs.

In his 20s he liked to rodeo until an injury put a stop to that. He liked the broncs, but apparently they didn't like him.

Forrest was a World War II veteran; his unit was the 10th Mountaineers Division. He was given a medical discharge. After returning home he became a cross country truck driver, which led him to live in many different states. He was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Sulphur, Oklahoma, and a volunteer fireman. He also played on the men's softball team in Helena. Forrest worked at the Farmers Cooperative in Helena, Oklahoma, for almost 30 years, retiring in 1990.

He was married on Christmas Eve, 1950, to Martha Minter in Georgia. To this union God blessed them with two children: Forrest Everett LeCrone Jr (JR) and Charla Jeanne LeCrone Ryel.

Then on January 21, 1977, he married Mary Norton. After their retirement they moved to Sulphur, Oklahoma, to her childhood farm. He loved to raise cattle, fish on the ponds they had, travel, read his Bible, and Louis L'Amour books until his eyesight wouldn't let him. His biggest thrill was spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his children, JR and Diane LeCrone of Eldon, Missouri, and Charla and Steve Ryel of Aline, Oklahoma; two sisters, Patty Ross of Helena, Oklahoma, and Linda and David Wiggins of Kingfisher, Oklahoma; one sister-in-law, Lila LeCrone of Ft. Worth, Texas; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; a number of nieces; nephews and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; two sisters; two brothers; both wives; three grandsons, and two brothers-in-law.

He will be missed but will be remembered for his special heart and his good advice. Fly high cowboy!

Forrest asked that his funeral be casual blue jeans: just be comfortable. Special thanks to the wonderful team at the Elara Hospice, the Commons, preacher John, Lanman Funeral Home and many family and friends who helped Dad through this journey.

Also, there is an account for the Helena Christian Church Youth Group, mainly to help children be able to go to church camp. If giving a memorial in Forrest's name, please make checks out to Helena Christian Church Youth Group through Lanman Funeral Home.

Funeral service for Forrest will be Monday, March 25, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Helena First Christian Church. Burial will follow at Good Hope Cemetery with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home Inc. of Helena. Viewing will be Sunday from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. with family present from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. (www.lanmanfuneralhome.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.)