Funeral services for Ozzie Tillman Byrum, Jr., 83 year-old Weatherford, Oklahoma resident, will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2006, 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church with Earl Stephenson officiating. Burial will follow in Hydro Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home. Ozzie was the second of six sons born to Ozzie Tillman, Sr. 'Curly" and Ada Missouri (Thomason) Byrum, born on October 25, 1923 at the farm home south of Hydro and went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of Wednesday, December 27, 2006 surrounded by his family at home. Ozzie grew up in the Hydro-Hinton area. He attended the Cedar Canyon rural school and Hydro High School. After high school, Ozzie did farm work in the area until 1945. On September 2, 1945, he was united in marriage to Miss Evelyn Reber at the home of her parents. He then began farming for and with his father-in-law, Edgar Reber. At a young age, Ozzie accepted Christ as his personal savior and was baptized and became a member of the Cedar Canyon Baptist Church. Ozzie and Evelyn were active in the Cedar Canyon Baptist Church. In April 1957, Ozzie answered the call of God to preach the Gospel. In January 1958, Ozzie began his first pastorate in the same church where he was saved. The next day he began his college career. From January 1958 to January 1962, Ozzie attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University, at the same time farming and pastoring a church. After college graduation, he entered Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where he attended for 2 years. While in the seminary, he pastored the Scott Baptist Mission, a mission of Hinton First Baptist Church. In 1963, he began his pastorate at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, which lasted until 1970. In October 1970, he accepted the call to pastor the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Weatherford, which he pastored until May 1986 when his health forced him to retire. Ozzie and Evelyn joined the First Baptist Church of Weatherford in 1986 where they continued their faithful service to the Lord and others. Ozzie taught the FBC Auditorium Class for 12 years. He was frequently asked to perform funerals and weddings and do supply preaching. In retirement, Ozzie worked part time for the Lockstone Funeral Home. Ozzie made the statement that he had three professions in life and that he loved each one of them. Ozzie truly loved people and was loved by many. Contributions in Ozzie's memory may be made to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church of Weatherford, Oklahoma. Ozzie is survived by his wife, Evelyn, 61 plus wonderful years of together; one son, Ronnie Byrum of Hydro and his friend, Adele Suddath of Fort Worth, Texas; one daughter, Connie Byrum of Norman, Oklahoma; one brother, Tom Byrum and his wife, Judy of Hydro, Oklahoma; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Bill, Lloyd, Jake, and Homer; and his parent-in-laws, Edgar and Florence Reber. The family would like to thank Dr. Norman Imes and his assistant, Bonnie, Dr. Charles Bethea, Dr. Don Murray, and Dr. Danny Barnes of Oklahoma City. Also, Dr. Tom Dixon and Dr. Blake Badgett of Weatherford, and Healthback Home Care and Trinity Hospice for their loving care of Ozzie.
Published in The Oklahoman on 12/28/2006.