Clarence Edwin Byrom

Clarence E. Byrom passed away September 18, 2016, in Tulsa, Oklahoma after a short illness at the age of 87 years. He was the lOth of eleven children born to Granville Byrom and Clara McCroskey Byrom on July 13, 1929, in Blackburn, Oklahoma.
He received his education in the Pawnee Co. Schools of Pleasant Mound and Hallett, Oklahoma. Clarence enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948 and served in the Korean War. Clarence was honorably discharged in Syracuse, New York in 1952 as a Staff Sargent. He returned to Cleveland, Oklahoma and went to work for the Carl Carnes Company as a truck driver in the oil fields.
He was united in marriage to Virginia Holmes on October 20, 1956, in a small house, they had built just outside of Keystone, Oklahoma. They resided there until 1962 when construction of the Keystone Dam forced them to move (house and all) about 3 miles north to higher ground. Clarence went to work for National Tank Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1962 and worked there for the next 23 years until they closed shop. He has owned and operated the Keystone Boat and RV Storage since 1964. He owned and operated the Lake Area Refuse Service for seven years after retiring from National Tank Company.
After retirement, Clarence, and Virginia traveled in their motor home. They especially enjoyed taking the grandkids. They have visited all 50 states, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, the Panama Canal and several Caribbean Islands.
Clarence was an avid OU Football fan and also a Texas Ranger Baseball fan. He and Virginia were privileged to see OU play in the Rosebowl in California and also the Orange Bowl in Florida. He, his son Chris and grandson Scott were able to see the Rangers play in the World Series in Arlington, Texas in 2011.
He enjoyed being a member of the Sim-R-On-Sam Chapter of the Good Sam Club. He enjoyed the friendships, playing dominoes and the monthly travels. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Cross Roads Historical Society.
Clarence was a brave and caring individual. In 1976, he was on his way fishing when he came upon a car wreck on the Hwy. 64 bridge over Keystone Lake. The car was on fire, and he asked the onlookers if anyone was in the car. They replied yes. The doors were too hot, so he went to get his gloves and was able to get the two passengers, a man, and woman, out. He received only minor burns to the hands and arms.
Clarence was preceded in death by parents, sisters: Dora Brown, Opal Baker, Louise Collins; brothers: Paul Byrom, Harold Byrom, Earnest Byrom, Howard Byrom, Roy Byrom and Albert Byrom. (All the brothers served their country except Roy) He is survived by his wife, Virginia of the home, children: Chris Byrom and wife Kari of Oklahoma City and Craig Byrom of Cleveland, Oklahoma, grandchildren: Kolbe Claborn and husband Ryley of Oklahoma City, Scott Byrom of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Jenna Byrom of Oklahoma City. One brother, Raymond Byrom and wife Donna of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Sisters-in-laws: Willie Byrom of Sand Springs, Wanda Byrom of Mannford and Linda Brand of Beggs, Oklahoma, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 22, 2016, at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Jim Bierd and Robert Haling, officiating. Burial will follow at the Sinnett Cemetary under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.