Jimmy Lee Drywater

Jimmy Lee Drywater was born October 16, 1941 in Moodys, OK, the son of Dick and Lillie (Bluebird) Drywater. He was raised in a big family with his eight siblings and has been a lifelong member of Moodys community. After attending Tahlequah High School, he started working local construction jobs. A jack-of-all-trades, there wasn’t much he couldn’t do, whether it was auto-body repair or home repair. He was an excellent fence builder and worked as a farm hand for many years. Back on November 15, 1963, he met and married the love of his life, Carolyn Lavern Gordon. The Lord blessed them with nearly 62 years of family, love and memories. He was the proud father and papa of nine children, Terri, Darren, Doyle, Brian, Dickie, Jimmy, Kathy, Kevin and Stacy and countless grandchildren. With a large family, their door was always open and food was on the table. Even if you weren’t hungry, he was going to make sure you had something to eat. There wasn’t a person he wouldn’t help and his home was a refuge to anyone and everyone. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed time outdoors. Jimmy Lee was an avid hunter and loved time out at his favorite fishing spots. Each year, he kept a beautiful garden and enjoyed tending to his yard. His favorite moments were those spent with his family, joking around and telling stories or simply playing a game of checkers with Weston and Garie. A Christian by faith, Jimmy Lee was called to his eternal home in Glory on Saturday, August 23, 2025 with family by his side. He was 83 years old and will forever be remembered for the love he showed so many and joy he brought to their lives.

He has gone on to join Dick and Lillie Drywater, one son, Doyle Lee Drywater, one daughter-in-law, Denise Drywater, six brothers, Homer, Chester, Luke, Johnny, Hoover and Phillip Drywater, one sister, Eva Cross, two grandchildren, Jacob Drywater and Rance Smith, and two great-grandchildren, J’Lee Drywater and Everlee Myer.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Carolyn Drywater of the home, five sons, Darren Drywater of Tahlequah, OK, Brian Drywater and wife Jimmie of Tahlequah, OK, Dickie Drywater and wife Belinda of Chewey, OK, Jimmy Drywater and wife Sherry and Kevin Drywater, both of Tahlequah, OK, and three daughters, Terri Kendall and husband Ron of Tahlequah, OK, Kathy Cooper and husband Kevin of Hulbert, OK and Stacy Laughlin and husband Garie (aka Randy) of Tahlequah, OK along with one sister, Yvonne Scott also of Tahlequah. His legacy lives on through numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and three great great-grandchildren, countless friends and many loved ones.

Visitation for Jimmy Lee will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home.

Funeral services are Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 2:00pm at Reed-Culver Chapel with Pastor Brian Drywater officiating. He will be laid to rest at Agent Cemetery in Moodys.

Serving as pallbearers are Trenton Drywater, Aaron Stopp, Nathan Myer, Daniel Drywater, Keaton Myer, Jimmy Drywater and Choogie Drywater. Honorary pallbearers include Darren Drywater, Brian Drywater, Dickie Drywater, Jimmy Drywater, Kevin Drywater, Garie Laughlin, Kevin Cooper and his cherished grandchildren.