Flanders Byford

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, August 31st, 2021, at Resthaven Funeral Home in Shawnee, OK. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Monday, August 30th, 2021, at Resthaven Funeral Home.

Flanders Alford Byford was born to Eugene and Pauline Harjo Alford in Oakland, Ca. on October 16th, 1945. His role models were his mother Pauline and stepfather, Warren “Bill” Byford, who stayed committed to his family in the toughest of times. Flanders was married to Sharon Adee in 1970 and later to Lesa Brassfield in 1990. Flanders felt his greatest achievement in life was to be blessed with the role of being a father and grandfather to his children, grandchild and great grandchildren. His favorite phrase uttered many times was “Eighty percent of a relationship is just showing up.”

Flanders primarily grew up in Great Bend, KS where he had a storied football career and earned the lifelong nickname of “Flip”, as well as in Clovis, NM - both places being close to his heart. Later in life he lived multiple places in Oklahoma, eventually settling in Choctaw, and also spent time in Albuquerque, NM.

A former Vietnam veteran – Flanders proudly served with the Air Mobile 1st Air Cavalry Division, A Co. 2nd of 12th in 1968 & 1969. He was unashamedly patriotic and counted Western Stars Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and Hopalong Cassidy as National Heroes. A Retired Civil Service employee- Flanders worked for the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, And Indian Health Service. He held a B.S. in Sociology and M.S.W. in Social Work from the University of Utah and also served as an active member and Emeritus Designate on the OU Graduate School Social Work Board of Visitors. After retiring in 1998 Flanders found employment with local behavioral Health Programs as a Social Worker with the Oklahoma County Health Departments TB Division. He believed his greatest professional work experience and satisfaction came with his work with the homeless and disadvantaged. He later said this was the essence of what he felt it was to be a Social Worker and was forever humbled by the experience. In 2005, Flanders reached another milestone by being elected Band Chief of the Tusekia Harjo Band of the Seminole Nation. Throughout his success, he believed the secret was “Loving and Devoted parents who prayed for me everyday and who believed in me and always set positive expectations.” Flanders will be remembered by his friends and family as a wise and generous father; fearless and determined, and a man of true grit.

Lastly, Flanders loved sports, especially OU Football and collecting Baseball cards, Cap Guns and Western Memorabilia which became his passion during his retirement.

Flanders is survived by his siblings Ken Byford of Spokane Valley, WA and Jerri “Susie” Jones of Tecumseh,OK, his children Jalen Byford of Oklahoma City, OK, Drew Byford of Oklahoma City, OK, Chris Byford of Shawnee, OK and his Stepdaughter Faith Brown of Broken Arrow, OK, as well as his Grandchild Jadrian Henan of Santa Fe, NM and Great Grand twins Amiyah and Aaliyah Henan of Albuquerque, NM.

Flanders was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Kermit “Monte” Byford and John Alford.