Brian Varnell

Darrell Brian Varnell, 52, of Cleveland, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at his home in Cleveland, Oklahoma.
Brian was born February 2, 1966, in Pawnee, Oklahoma. He is the son of Darrel Dwight Varnell and Sharon Lea (McDaniel) Swanson. Brian grew up in Sapulpa where he attended school in Pretty Water and Sapulpa graduating with the Class of 1984. During his time in school Brian also attended Drumright Vo-Tech for auto mechanics. That was his passion and loved rebuilding and restoring vehicles. Brian worked at Ditch Witch in equipment design and testing. He also worked at Jim Warner Ford for several years and opened Skidz Cycles in Tulsa which he operated for many years. He custom designed and built many motorcycles in the area. Brian later moved to Cleveland to help take care of his Grandma Norma. During that time Brian began working for the Cleveland Schools as a mechanic until he was forced to retire due to medical reasons. In the evening of September 5, 2015, at Cowskin Bay under the stars Brian was united in marriage to Debbie Gray.
Brian loved being outdoors especially at Keystone Lake. He also liked watching Robert Morris, The Blessed Life as well as Joseph Prince. Brians life revolved around boating, drag racing and motorcycles. Every chance he could get Brian was thinking about how he could fix up a vehicle or tinker on one to make it go faster. His pet project was is S10 and prior to that it was rebuilding the 1947 Ford that Dwight drives. He spent numerous hours getting it just perfect for the first year of “Cruise Night in Cleveland.”
Brian always loved to help others. He had a big heart and really loved making his life about others. Brian loved life to the fullest and never once throughout his treatment and diagnosis was angry with what life had dealt him and always had a sense of humor.
Survivors are his wife Debbie of the home, son Brandon Varnell of Fenton, Iowa, daughter BriAnne Varnell of Cleveland, Oklahoma; stepdaughter Brittany Gray Thomas of Cleveland, Oklahoma; parents Sharon and Greg Swanson of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Dwight and Teri Varnell of Blackburn, Oklahoma; Debra McCombs of Jay, Oklahoma, Jennifer Dawn Rovey of Litchfield, Illinois, Ci Ji Jacober of Bakersfield, California; grandchildren Laurissa and Ava. Brian was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents.
Services will be held 10:30 AM Wednesday at the Woodland Cemetery Chapel with Pastor Steve Brown officiating. Friends have been asked to bring their motorcycle or hot rods in memory of Brian to the service. Friends may share a memory with the family online at www.chapman-black.com. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.

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