Dwain Carnes

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Cecil Dwain Carnes, lifelong resident, and pillar of the community, passed from this life on August 21, 2020, at the age of 85 in Cleveland.

Dwain was born on March 3, 1935, in Hominy, Oklahoma.  He was the son of Carl S. and Jewell (Norwood) Carnes.  Dwain grew up on the family farm at the edge of Cleveland, initially attending school at Dixie, later graduating from Cleveland with the Class of 1954.   While growing up on the family farm, Dwain was very intrigued by his father’s knowledge of farming.  At the age of 6, Dwain was given a pig later trading for a heifer calf, which began his lifelong love for cattle.  His father then expanded the farm, which Dwain helped operate.  They operated one of the first state-accredited registered Jersey Dairy herds.  His father soon saw a great opportunity in the oil business in the local area.  In 1947, Carl purchased a single truck forming Carnes Tank Cleaning Company.  This acquisition will later be known as one of the most extensive operations in the area for many years.  With the business snowballing, Carl turned the farming operation over to Dwain at a very young age during his sophomore year in high school.  He asked for guidance from his Vo Ag teacher and operated the farm.  Carl soon expanded the farm once again, and of course, Dwain continued to run one of the finest operations in the area.  Dwain was later acknowledged during his Senior year for his accomplishments on the family farm.  He also held the secretary, treasurer as well as President of the Cleveland FFA.  Dwain served as reporter, National Band member, Star Farmer, district soil conservation winner, and delegate to the FFA State Convention.

In 1954, Dwain furthered his education at Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater.  He studied and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Economics.  Following his graduation, Dwain later joined the United States Air Force serving his country.  Following his discharge, Dwain returned to Cleveland, Oklahoma.  Dwain had a thirst for knowledge. He returned to school and later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Oklahoma State University in 1962. During that time, Dwain also became a charter member of the flying aggies.  Dwain was soon united in marriage to Linda L. Pearce on July 22, 1962.  The couple established their home in Cleveland, and Dwain once again helped Carl run Carnes Tank Cleaning Company.  The oil industry boomed and their trucks were available for hauling saltwater, oil and tank bottoms.  In 1960, the Osage Oil Transportation Company based in Pawhuska was purchased, and in 1961 the two companies became Osage Oil and Transportation, Inc. The duo then began buying, storing, and marketing the oil from various oil-producing companies in the area. In 1962, Crabtree Transport in Cleveland was purchased. This purchase allowed them to enter into the refined product, transportation and marketing segment of the oil industry. As time continued and the business was needing more infrastructure, they bought Southwest Crude Oil Purchasing, now having terminals in Drumright and Morris, Oklahoma.  In 1977, expansion continued into Ada, Oklahoma, with the acquisition of John L. Lewis Service Company.

With all of the expansion and assets needing a home, Carl and Dwain purchased 20 acres South of Cleveland and opened a 48,000 square foot maintenance and fabrication base.  The company had now grown into a one of a kind operations from wellhead to end-user providing gasoline to customers with Gas-N-Go Serv-ur-Self gas stations, unheard of at this time and a first in the United States.  The application of marketing techniques then developed the Gas-N-Go Self-Service Station into convenience food stores. This marketing produced higher food sales, and gasoline gallon increases throughout their company.

Dwain loved and had a passion for aviation.  He built the facilities at the Cleveland Municipal Airport and gifted the structures to the city and was instrumental in the formation of the Cleveland Airport Authority.  He operated the Osage Aviation FBO, flight school, and Cessna dealership for many years. Dwain also ventured into the agriculture side.  He leased and operated several 1000’s of acres of land in the Boston Pool, Bartlesville, Blackburn, and Cleveland areas known as Rock Creek Ranch.  He raised registered Angus and alfalfa hay that was sought after by numerous people in the surrounding area.   Giving back to his community was very apparent for Dwain to do.  He and his father were also instrumental in the current location of the Baptist Village and First Baptist Church.  Dwain was also a big sponsor of numerous things from little league baseball teams to major colleges, especially Oklahoma State University.  He has been a longtime Posse Member and follower of the sporting activities of the university.

Traveling was another passion of Dwain’s.  Going on yearly trips fishing to Beyond LaRonge Lodge in Saskatchewan and taking vacations to Mexico. On June 18, 2004, Dwain was united in marriage to Sharon Hudson at Niagara Falls. They enjoyed traveling and one of the most anticipated trips was a 118-day World Cruise. Following the disembarkment in England, the two embarked on Queen Mary II, which sailed to the United States, making the trip over four months.  One thing for sure in life Dwain was a follower of Christ and a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland.  He loved his town and was proud to be from Cleveland as well as a proud OSU Cowboy. 
    
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Carnes of Cleveland, Oklahoma; daughter and her husband, Kim and Jerry Brady of Cleveland, Oklahoma; son, David Carnes and his wife Maria of Hallett, Oklahoma; grandson, Ryan Brady of Choctaw, Oklahoma and one great-grandson Kayden Brady as well as a host of other relatives and friends.  Dwain was preceded by his parents Carl and Jewell Carnes and a great-grandson Kylar Brady.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at the First Baptist Church with Terry Sparks officiating, and musical selections will be performed by Dorothea Hendricks.  The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the First Baptist Church Cowboy Fellowship in honor of Dwain.  Burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.  Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Dwain at www.chapman-black.com.

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