Leroy Ray Siemen

On Friday, December 29, 2023, LeRoy Ray Siemen departed this earth due to a long battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Dementia. He was immediately welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and greeted by a host of family and friends. No longer limited by immobility, he walks on streets of gold.

LeRoy was born at 7 a.m. on March 25, 1928, at the home of his maternal grandmother, Jennie Locke (Rutherford), 320 E. Symmes Street in Norman, Oklahoma. His maternal grandfather William F. Locke, and great grandparents James and Adeline Rutherford (Gard) are listed on the 1890 First Territorial Census of Oklahoma.

In God’s providential mercy, and, as a miracle of family survival, Leroy’s German Mennonite paternal grandparents escaped Southern Russia (current day Ukraine) prior to the more harsh persecutions of the 1900’s. After arriving in Baltimore Maryland in June 1892, they settled in Kansas where LeRoy’s father, Cornelius Siemens (“Harry”), was born. In the early 1900’s, they moved to Corn, Oklahoma. Eventually, Harry left home and married Edna Mae Locke, a switch board operator for Southwestern Bell. They had four children: Geraldine, Norma Jean (stillbirth), LeRoy, and Wanda.

LeRoy primarily grew up in Choctaw, Oklahoma. He also lived in Yukon for a period of time. The family was poor during the Depression years. LeRoy loved to hunt with his dogs. The main dish was usually rabbit. During the winter, they would put the frozen rabbits in the back of their pickup and keep until ready to pick out to fix for a meal. They slept in a house that was really a tent—halfway up wood and then a tent covering. Eventually they built a house. He loved riding his motorcycle and spending time with his best friend, Charlie Haley.

At times LeRoy would accompany his dad as he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). He attended Valley School at the NW corner of SE 59th and Choctaw Road through the eighth grade. He worked various jobs—for Griffins, at the Stockyards and at Douglas Aircraft. He joined the Army with his dad’s signed permission on November 19, 1945. After five months and four days in Continental Service, he spent one year and twenty-seven days in Foreign Service in Wetzlar Germany. He served in the 3rd Constabulary Regiment (the post WW 2 peace-keeping force) and was honorably discharged on May 19, 1947, at Fort Dix New Jersey. He recalled times of transporting individuals involved in war crimes. After his service, he completed training and received his small plane license on November 27, 1947.

Following the Army, LeRoy went to work installing the toll lines/first telephone system in Yeager, Oklahoma. While up on a pole one day, he looked down to the dusty road and saw his future wife, “Jackie,” a widow, whose husband, Arthur Hall, had been killed in the war, and a mother to son Larry Hall. He married her on October 5, 1951. LeRoy loved Larry as his very own.

LeRoy also worked on many radio and TV towers.

The newly married couple, along with son Larry Hall, first lived in Choctaw, Oklahoma, and they had a baby boy, Robert DeWayne Sieman. They then purchased their home at 9008 N. Walker, Oklahoma City (Town of Britton), Oklahoma. Soon their daughter, Sharon Ann Sieman was born.

LeRoy was a devoted servant of God serving in various capacities of leadership and manual labor at several Assembly of God Churches including Britton, NW 16th, and finally, Harrah First. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, great-great grandfather, and uncle. Also, many animals were recipients of his love and care. His favorite past time was sitting for hours on his deck watching squirrels, birds, deer, and the cows in the adjacent pasture. Most of all, he loved watching the planes flying over and meticulously describing the vapor trails until they dispersed.

LeRoy was an Installer and dedicated employee of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (Now AT&T), retiring on February 16, 1982, after 33 years, 3 months, and 13 days. After retirement, he worked a few years delivering items for a laundry company.

LeRoy could build or fix almost anything. He was always a hard worker and took extra jobs like helping erect State Fair rides or working overtime.

LeRoy and Jackie moved to Harrah, Oklahoma around the early 1990’s where they enjoyed gardening, hosting church cook outs and just the simple “country life.”

LeRoy is predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Jackie, his parents, Harry and Edna Sieman (Locke), two sisters, Norma Jean (stillborn 1926), and Geraldine Hesby/Bass, and grandson Joshua Sieman. He is survived by beloved sons Larry Hall, Robert Sieman, and daughter Sharon Cargill, seven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, and several nephews and nieces.

The family thanks The Family Care Center of Harrah for their loving support and professional care of LeRoy for many years. Also, thanks to the wonderful care provided by the entire Oklahoma Hospice and Palliative Care staff—especially long-time caregiver volunteer, Susan Deal, long-time nurse, Ella Mattingly and aide Mesha Wright. Thanks to The American Legion Post 178, of which Dad was a member, and all who made Dad’s dream to be up in a plane again one more time, a reality. There are too many others to name. We pray God will reward each of you!