Leroy Orsburn

Leroy Orsburn was born March 22, 1935 in Wewoka, Oklahoma to Ralph and Dora Tennessee (Moran) Orsburn of Wewoka and died on May 25, 2023, in Henryetta, Oklahoma at the age of 88. Leroy grew up on a small family farm in the “Dixie Lease” oil patch of Seminole County. He contracted polio before the age of two and was left crippled, but he never accepted limitations. Leroy did not dwell on his polio-weakened legs. He said, “We are crippled; some of us are lucky enough to know how.” He would explain that he could do anything anyone else could do, he just had to do it differently. He taught us all about working hard, perseverance and overcoming obstacles. He studied broadcast engineering at Oklahoma City University and went to work building and repairing radio and television stations throughout Texas and Oklahoma. He defied everyone who said a crippled man couldn’t work and he would even climb the radio towers to change the light bulbs. While working for KWFT Radio in Wichita Falls, Texas, Leroy met and married Carol. Eventually, they “retired” to a farm in Seminole County where the entire family worked to raise chickens, ducks, pigs, ponies, a large garden, and Charolais cattle. Always involved with his family, he became an active 4-H Leader and taught his children to show cattle at the county and state fairs. He was also active in the Seminole County Cattlemen’s Association, the Oklahoma Charolais Association, the National Arbor Day Foundation, and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Leroy Orsburn’s family was named the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year in 1976 and received the Arbor Day Foundation Good Steward Award in 2001. After their children were grown, Leroy and Carol volunteered with the Oklahoma Wildlife Department where they conducted fishing clinics for children. They specifically led field days for children with disabilities because he didn’t want them to believe that they could not enjoy the outdoors. After selling the farm and moving to Henryetta, Leroy continued to be creative and productive by sewing hundreds of quilts for babies and children. He would often give them away anonymously as the “Quilt Fairy.” Leroy Orsburn was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Carol, of the home and three children and their spouses: David Taylor and wife, Kristen; Glenn Orsburn and wife, Margaret; and Kathryn Shurden and husband, Frank. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Jody Taylor, Brandon Taylor, Josh Taylor, Amber Holsomback, Ashley Taylor, Amy Beth Dalton, Eric Orsburn, and Mandy Brumley and many great-grandchildren. Graveside services at the Henryetta West Lawn Cemetery are set for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, under the direction of Rogers Funeral Home in Henryetta, Oklahoma

Leroy Orsburn

March 22, 1935 - May 25, 2023