Levi Wilkins

On Friday, Sept. 22, our community lost Levi Wilkins in a rock climbing accident in the Wichita Mountains. While only 36, Levi lived BIG and set an example for how to live a fulfilling life.

He was the most incredible husband, father, son, brother, firefighter and friend. He approached life with a full heart and desire to push himself to the limit in all kinds of ways.

Born on Feb. 5, 1987 to Steve and Sharie Wilkins, Levi was raised alongside his brother Jake on "The Hill" where four generations of his maternal family all lived. He graduated in 2005 from Edmond Memorial High School where he played trumpet in the marching band and met his high school sweetheart Emily at the age of 16.

After earning a bachelor's degree in German from TCU, Levi and Emily married in 2009. He worked for the Norman Fire Department and was active in several alpine, urban search and rescue, as well as church organizations while also raising their three children, Nora, Wyatt and Owen. Levi was the driving force in planning global family adventures, as well as his own ice climbing and alpine excursions on some of the world's most famous peaks.

Levi was no stranger to challenging journeys. Upon being diagnosed with rare adrenal cancer in 2019, he endured nine months of intense chemo, surgery and severe bone pain which left his once-capable body broken. Once in remission, he celebrated by often waking up at 4 a.m. to run or climb stadium stairs to rebuild muscle before working a 24-hour shift at the fire station. He was determined to build back his body to be able to work as a fireman without restriction, run marathons and once again reach the highest summits - all things he accomplished through years of grueling work and discipline.

Levi often vocalized how every day was a gift. His own words captured it best:

"Being in a wild space is incredibly healing to me, and climbing is cathartic. It’s my art. Perfecting the ability to move through vertical terrain is no different than a singer developing her voice, or a painter learning about lines and shading. It’s an act of creation, and one I find necessary to live from a place of love rather than fear."

Levi refused to be defined as a cancer patient. Continuing to push himself through marathons and outdoor experiences was a critical part of transitioning from the mindset of a patient back to that of a survivor. It brings his family peace knowing he spent his last day doing something he loved - climbing. Levi leaves behind an inspirational legacy that lives on in the many lives he positively impacted.

A celebration of life will take place on Tues., Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church in Norman, OK. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Levi's name to First Descents so they may provide more cancer patients with life-changing experiences through outdoor adventures. Family and friends are also encouraged to share photos and stories of Levi at leviwilkins.memorial for his children and loved ones to cherish in the years ahead.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.primrosefuneralservice.com for the Wilkins family.