Dwayne Vallandingham

Dwayne Keith Vallandingham was born October 15, 1950 in Kansas City, Missouri to Charles Thomas and Rosella Tuttle Vallandingham, he was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Rosella Vallandingham and his aunt, Myra Schaefer.

Dwayne is survived by his children, Dr. Robert & wife Casey, Richard & wife Holly, Jacob & wife Janyce and Jason Vallandingham; brother and sister-in-law Joe & Glenda Vallandingham; sister and brother- in-law Janie & Kenny Robinson; grandchildren, Kaibree & Braezen Flood; Jaidyn, Brailyn, Dirk McGough, Finn, Katie, Khloe, Ezekiel, Jaxon, Hank and Kinley Vallandingham; great-grandchild Fayne Flood; nieces and nephews Dr. Michael and Tara Vallandingham; Christina and Kenny Knect; Jarrod and Dayna Wood and Daniel and Kelsey Williams.

Also, special friends, Keith & Diana Claybrook, Jack & sue Kizzia and Steven Dryer.

Dwayne passed from this life on Monday, August 7, 2023 in Ada, OK at the age of 72.

Dwayne graduated from Wewoka High School, Wewoka, OK. in 1968 and a bachelors degree in music education from east central university in Ada, Oklahoma in 1972. He also later earned a masters degree in education from East Central University. He also graduated from Lela’s Beauty College in Ada, OK and Rhema Bible College in Broken Arrow, OK.

After finishing his practice teaching in Seminole, OK, he said “to heck with this” and opened a dog grooming shop in Ada, OK And later attended beauty school and opened “Dwayne’s Hairstyles” in Wewoka.

Dwayne finally returned to teaching and taught in several small schools in southeastern Oklahoma. He taught 23 years and enjoyed teaching in small schools because of the quality and friendliness of the students and staff. Being a teacher in Oklahoma often meant holding extra jobs. Any time any of his sons would mention how hard they worked Dwayne would remind them of the time he worked five jobs at once. He would wake up at 4 am to deliver the Daily Oklahoman, drive from Ada to Bowlegs to teach band, drive to Seminole to teach middle school music then would go to Wewoka to work at his hair salon. On Sundays he would teach children’s church in the morning and lead praise and worship in the evenings.

When he became a single father, he also became chief cook and bottle washer. Both of his grandmothers were great cooks, and he knew he had made it when his brother, joe said Dwayne’s fried chicken was almost as good as grandma Eva’s. His red velvet cake was also requested for many birthdays.

Some of his favorite memories were boating and skiing with Keith Claybrook and other friends at Wewoka Lake and later with his family and friends at Arbuckle Lake.

Dwayne was saved and baptized at the age of seven at Trinity Baptist Church in Bartlesville, OK. God and church was a significant part of his life. He was active in Sunday School, choir, youth activities and many other things. He began a primary choir at the First Baptist Church at the age of 16 and at 18 he became choir director at the first united methodist church in Wewoka, OK. He was active in the music ministry wherever he lived and spent over 50 years in that ministry. He also formed a gospel singing group which traveled the state and recorded an album.

Dwayne was always active in community affairs. He directed the community choir in the Wewoka Bicentennial Pageant of the USA, directed the choir in the Wewoka Easter Pageant, sang in the Oklahoma City Master Chorale, and played in the Shawnee Grey Wolves Jazz Band. He was also proud of his work in band when he qualified his bands for state concert band contest and for the many students who received college scholarships.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 1st Baptist Church in Wewoka, OK with Dr. Michael Vallandingham officiating. Interment to follow at oakwood cemetery in Wewoka, OK.

Pallbearers: Jarrod Wood, Braezen Flood, Brailyn Vallandingham, Daniel Williams, Dirk McGough, Zeke Vallandingham.

Honorary pallbearers: Jack Kizzia, Keith Claybrook, Jonathan Vallandingham, Nate Shipman, Kenny Robinson.