E. G. Findley

Elmer Grant, “E.G.” Findley, 81, passed from this life June 24, 2019, at Cleveland Area Hospital. Born April 7, 1938, near the Dixie area in Cleveland, Oklahoma to Elzie Milton and Beulah Rose (Chambers) Findley. He grew up on the family farm in the Dixie area, and attended school at Cleveland, graduating in 1956. Soon after, E.G., moved to Ada to attend East Central University. There he met Glenda Ann Phillips while attending an Oak Avenue Baptist Church fellowship event at Paul Alford’s residence. Soon after, the couple was seen walking around town, going to movies, “dragging Main,” and eating at the drive-in on East 11th Street. E.G., spent that next summer working jobs around Ardmore and Pauls Valley, mostly for Welex Perforating Company.
In the summer of 1957, E.G., took Glenda to meet his folks in Cleveland. Elzie and Beulah took the couple ring shopping. On Cleveland Lake, in a rowboat, E.G. gave Glenda her ring. Glenda graduated high school on May 28, 1958. That next evening, May 29, Reverend Bob Norsworthy wed the couple in Oak Avenue Baptist Church. The couple went to Oklahoma City and spent a day at the zoo for their honeymoon.
In, E.G., ’s Junior Year, the couple expected their first child, David, who was born August 21, 1959. The next summer, E.G., graduated after the summer term, taking a teaching job in Hastings, Oklahoma. Moving to Temple, just a short distance away, the family joined Temple First Baptist Church. E.G. was one of three teachers in the district, teaching 5th and 6th grade at just 22 years old. Shortly after that, the couple expected their second child Brent, who was born July 29, 1961, at Valley View Hospital in Ada.
In 1962, E.G. took a teaching job in Cleveland, Oklahoma. His teaching position also required him to coach and drove a school bus. The couple purchased their first home at 508 North C Avenue. The family would sometimes hear the high school band practicing from their home there. They moved their membership to Cleveland First Baptist Church. While teaching, E.G. went back to school, completing his master’s in education. The house on C Avenue was sold, moving to Frank Horine’s house on Dunlap street until Frank finished building them a new house on Highway 48 closer to, E.G.’s folks.
Shortly after they moved to the country, E.G. and Glenda wanted to add to the family once again. After applying with an adoption agency, May 1968 brought the Findley’s their daughter, Robyn, who had been born December 1, 1967. A Southern Baptist church in Westport started up later that year, and they transferred their membership in October. E.G. would later become their Church Training Director and Sunday School Superintendent. He remained in that capacity for many years. On March 21, 1971, E.G. was ordained as a deacon at Westport Baptist Church.
In 1970, after E.G. quit teaching, many of the citizens asked him to run for school board. After the election, he served for ten years, some of that time as the president of the board. After the Keystone Lake project began, the Cimarron Turnpike was in the works, and the Turnpike Authority bought the family’s home. They moved to a piece of property above the Bear Creek bridge on Highway 64. E.G. opened Findley’s Shoe Store in 1973 at 107 North Broadway in Cleveland. In 1976, he suffered his first heart attack at the age of 38. Three years later in 1979, E.G. sold the shoe store, relieving some debt and some stress. April 26, 1984, the family lost their home to a tornado. Thankfully, they rode out the storm in a closet, sustaining only minor injuries. E.G. moved the family into “Grandma’s house” until their home could be rebuilt, with a new storm shelter.
In 1985, another heart attack came. A quintuple bypass surgery followed the next morning. A blood problem was the cause, Polycythemia Vera. May of 1988, E.G. asked Glenda to marry him. On their 30th wedding anniversary, they renewed their vows, with Reverend John Meadows performing the ceremony. Another bypass surgery came to pass in 1992, with E.G. suffering another heart attack in 1995. Knowing the stress of the workplace was causing him problems, E.G. retired in 1997 from the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Services where he had been a counselor and supervisor for 31 years. After retirement, E.G. was still active at Westport Baptist Church. He enjoyed spending time with Glenda, the kids, and the grandkids. After computers become prevalent, it is said he enjoyed playing solitaire and free cell.
Survivors include his wife Glenda of the home, three children David Findley and wife Kay of McAlester, Oklahoma; Brent Findley and his wife Karen of Newalla, Oklahoma, Robyn Thorne and her husband John of Watonga, Oklahoma; two sisters Freida Hughes of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Lou Burtram of Tulsa, Oklahoma, twelve grandchildren Grant Findley, Kaydee Durkee, Sean Findley, Brittany Stillwell, Ellie Findley, Megan Pender, Lauren Peebles, Justin Alsept, Wendy Forsyth, Kaitlin Thorne, Matthew Thorne, Christopher Thorne; and sixteen greatgrandchildren. E.G. was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Lester Don Findley & Charles Lindbergh Findley.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to American Heart Association and The Cleveland Area Hospital.

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