Evert James McLain

Evert James McLain, 91, of Norman, passed from this life on Thursday, sept. 12. He was born to Will and Lucy (Green) McLain on November 30, 1927 in Mt. Home, OK. He grew up on a farm and went to a country school. He loved to hunt, fish and ride horses. He played on all the sports teams, exceling at football and track. He set county track records that lasted many years.

After Graduation he entered the Army and was sent to the Pacific near the end of WWII. He spent most of his years in the service in Japan during the occupation.

He signed up for college under the GI Bill after his return and took a summer job in the oil field until classes started. He loved the oil business and never returned for school. He traveled many places in his career and became knowledgeable in all areas of oil exploration.

He spent almost his entire career first working for Nelson & Spain Drilling of Ardmore, and then as the Production Superintendent for L.E. Jones Production Co. of Duncan for 22 years. On February 12, 1955 he married Joy Miller of Ringling, OK and they were blessed with two daughters. They moved with his job several times, spending most of their married life in Pauls Valley and then Lone Grove before moving to Norman in 1999 to be near family. Evert retired in 1991 and they spent their retirement years traveling, following their beloved Ringling Blue Devils and enjoying their four grandchildren. They attended OU football, and men’s and women’s basketball games until his health started failing. He loved all sports and spent many of his last years watching the OKC Thunder, Texas Rangers and OU sports on television.

Evert grew up in a Christ centered family. He was an active member of the Ringling Baptist Church for many years before moving to Norman and joining Immanuel Baptist Church.

Survived by his wife of 64 years, Joy, of the home; daughter Kimberle Broom and husband Richard of Norman, Katrina Hannah and husband Jesse Don, Jr. of Noble; grandchildren, Will Broom and wife Anne and their children Jessie and Jake of Norman, Justin Hannah and wife Heather and their children Gwynlynn, Meira and Aiven of Turpin, Philip Hannah and wife Paula and their children Alexis, Luke and Max of Purcell, Ashleigh Morr and husband Trevor and their children Brayden and Hannah of Noble; brother, Elvis McLain of Bull Head City, AZ as well as many other family and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, brother Frank McLain and sisters, Lenora McLain and Estaleen Nolan and in-laws Peat and Nancy Miller.

Services will be at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1777 E. Robinson, Norman, on Monday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m., with Bro. Ken Huddleston officiating.

A graveside service and burial will be at Ringling Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

Memorials: Immanuel Baptist Church Building Fund, or Dale K. Graham’s Veterans Foundation, PO Box 592, Washington, OK 73093.

The family would like to thank Dr. James Love and his staff and Peggy from Doctor’s Park Home Health for their loving care of Evert.