C. Roland Earsom

The celebration of life for Charles Roland Earsom will be held 10:00 AM, Thursday, May 24, 2012 at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Sulphur, OK with the Rev. Tim Kowalski officiating. Roland, retired vocal music teacher and minister of the gospel, died Monday, May 21, 2012, following a cerebral hemorrhage. He was born on August 31, 1920, in Golden City, MO, to Rev. Charles A. and Jessie Mildred (Wasson) Earsom. He married Jewel Deane Staggers of Lamont, OK on August 17, 1948, his partner in life for nearly 64 years. Roland graduated from Phillips University in Enid, in 1943 with degrees in music, science, and religion. He played in the band and served as student director of the Concert Choir. He graduated with his MA from Phillips Theological Seminary in 1947. While attending college Roland preached in a number of churches, including Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) in Waynoka, Carrier, Orlando, and Cherokee. He taught in the public schools of Waynoka, Carrier, Lamont, Fox, Velma-Alma, Norman, and Sulphur. In the summers he sang in vocal groups, and conducted and performed in instrumental ensembles with the St. Louis Municipal Opera Company, and the Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony, Eureka Springs, AR. Roland also served as full-time or interim pastor of churches in Sulphur, Tishomingo, Pauls Valley, Ardmore, Duncan, Ada, Healdton, Weleetka, Wetumka, and Lindsay. From 1966 to 1987 he served as a seasonal ranger for the National Park Service at Platt National Park and Lake of the Arbuckles which became Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Roland volunteered and served as an officer in the Arbuckle Historical Society of Sulphur, for more than 40 years. He co-authored and published one book about Murray County history and was working on his second. He was a former member of the Lions Club. In his retirement years, following 40 years in the public schools of Oklahoma, he was active in the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association of Murray County. Roland wa preceded in death by his parents, his older brother James Robert, his younger brother Edwin Howard and wife Jo Ann. He is survived by his wife Jewel of the home; sons, Roland Eugene, of Oklahoma City; David Lee and wife Javonna, of Sulphur; Roger Kent and wife Julie, of Hallett, OK; Charles Arthur and wife Deborah, of Dougherty, OK; and Stephen Dean and wife Elsie, of Purcellville, VA. Further survivors include his sister in law Saralene Earsom of Bolivar, MO; brother in law Gerald Staggers of Sulphur; and sister in law Ava Lee Hillhouse and husband Laurence, of Blackwell, OK; as well as seven grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, former students and a host of dear friends. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, memorial contributions may be made to the Arbuckle Historical Society of Murray County, 402 West Muskogee Avenue, Sulphur, OK 73086; Texoma Christian Camp, c/o First Christian Church, 403 West Muskogee Avenue, Sulphur, OK 73086; the Phillips Theological Seminary, 901 N. Mingo Road, Tulsa, OK 74116; or the OREA Murray County Scholarship Fund, c/o Jo Ann Hefley, 302 East Allen Avenue, Davis, OK 73030.

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C. Roland Earsom

August 31, 1920 - May 21, 2012