George Lemons

Lemons

George Henry Lemons, longtime resident of Maud, Oklahoma, passed away on 29 May 2023.

Born on 18 December 1933, the fourth of five boys born to Edmond Lemons and Rachel Lemons (nee Gregory). He grew up in Seminole, Oklahoma at Plant 12 where his father worked for Sinclair Oil. He played football, baseball, and basketball for the Seminole Chieftains, graduating in 1951.

He joined the newly formed United States Air Force soon after and served as an Air Policeman in Libya and Germany, where he served in the Army of Occupation and worked as one of the first Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape instructors for the Air Force. He was proud of his military service and that both of his sons served as well.

After leaving the service in 1956, he used his GI Bill benefits to attend East Central State College in Ada where he earned his master’s degree in education in 1962. Having earned his MSED, he then embarked on what would be his life’s work of teaching and coaching in Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

He helped found Seminole Junior College, serving as its inaugural baseball coach. He taught and coached in Muenster, Texas, Manzanola, Colorado, and the Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore. His coaching spanned college and high school sports from baseball, basketball (boys and girls), football, wrestling and track and field (boys and girls).

He was a member of the Oklahoma Coaches Association for many years and loved travelling to Tulsa for the annual meetings. After his retirement in 1996 he continued as a substitute teacher for Seminole Public Schools until 2016 when his wife fell ill, and his own health began to deteriorate.

In his younger years he loved to fish and hunt quail and pheasant, usually with his brother Jim. He loved to read and was a devoted fan of both the Oklahoma Sooners and the Dallas Cowboys. His love of track and field ensured he was either attending meets or in his later years watching them on TV whenever possible.

George was married twice, first to Carolyn Lemons (nee Perry), his high school sweetheart, with whom he had two children: Steve and Lisa. His second marriage was to his best friend and love of his life Kay (Vera Kathleen) Lemons, to whom he was married for 53 years. They had four children: Laura, Stephanie, Sean, and Barbara. Kay’s two children from her previous marriage, Marta and Meredith, joined George’s kids Lisa and Steve; and along with the four they had together, they raised eight children. Through their eight children they welcomed fifteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren, so far. In retirement, George and Kay lived in Maud and held close ties to the community, school, and the senior center Project Heart. Dad was steadfast in his dedication to Mom, especially as diabetes took its toll on her in her final years.

Sadly, Dad’s final year was hampered by Alzheimer’s, and he was unable to recall his family and friends. Our family wishes to thank the many nurses of May’s Home Health in Shawnee for their loving kindness to both of our parents. We continue to be so thankful for the people who remind us daily of their fondness for Dad and Mom.

George is survived by his children, grandchildren, and other extended family members. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Kay of the home; his first wife Carolyn Bridwell of Tulsa, Ok; his parents Edmond and Rachel of Seminole; brothers AJ of Seminole, Earl of Chula Vista, Ca, Merrell of McAlester, Ok and his beloved baby brother Jim of McQueeny, Tx; son Steve of Tulsa; stepdaughter Marta of Norman; granddaughter Billie Dawn Elrod of Tulsa; and great grandson Peyton Neiman of Tulsa.

Hibbs Funeral Home has overseen his cremation and George will have a Veteran’s plaque designation in Little Cemetery, interment at a later date to be determined by the family.