Submitted by
Vicki Ebert

Oran Dean Steffey

Oran Dean Steffey, longtime Ponca City resident, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, at Via Christi Oklahoma Regional Medical Center. He was 81.

The funeral will be held Thursday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. at Northeast Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Larry E. Nigh, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Oran Dean Steffey was born May 19, 1921, in Billings, the son of Onis Oran and Leona B. Henry Steffey. His parents were living in Medco Oil Field at the time of his birth. The family moved to Three Sands in 1923 and lived there until 1925. In 1925, the family moved their home and belongings to the Gilpin Lease, the Garber and Covington Oil Field where they lived until 1928. Oran's father then began a career with Champlin Oil Co. and one month later, the family moved to Enid.

During the war, Oran worked as a precision inspector for the U.S. Army Air Force procurement. On Oct. 16, 1943, he married Dora Bell Moranville.

Oran earned his bachelor of arts degree from Phillips University in 1948. He and Dora Bell then moved to Stillwater where he attended Oklahoma A&M College, currently Oklahoma State University. He received his master's degree in 1950 and his Ph.D. in 1953. They made their home in Stillwater and Oran worked as an associate professor at the college. In 1956, Oran began a career with Continental Oil Co. in research and development and, in 1972, transferred to the medical department. He retired in 1985.

On Aug. 11, 1990, Oran married Anna Goldman and they made their home in Ponca City.

Oran was a good and faithful member and deacon of Northeast Baptist Church. He enjoyed flowers and flower gardening, camping and woodworking.

He is survived by his wife, Anna, of the home; one son, Onis Gene Steffey and his wife Susan of Arlington, Texas; one daughter, Pam White and her husband S.D. of Ponca City; two stepsons, Sam Goldman Jr. and his wife Pat of Grove, and Danny Goldman and his wife Ava of Ponca City; and a good friend Dean Utsler, whom Oran loved like a son.

Additional survivors include his 103-year-old stepmother, Elsie Steffey of Enid; one stepbrother, Homer Pryor of California; five stepsisters, Ruby Wilson of Enid, Bernadine Wilson and Joy McBride, both of Tulsa, and Bonnie Brooks and Pat Parker, of Oklahoma City; 10 grandchildren, Chad Steffey of Washington, D.C., Shaunda Espina of Arlington, Texas, Melissa Spoon of Arlington, Texas, Brant Steffey of Oklahoma City, Sabrina Cook of Wichita, Kan., Deanna Simmons of Ponca City, Dean Allen Utsler of Ponca City, Tina Goldman Castor of Ponca City, Todd Goldman of Amory, Miss., and Jared Goldman of Grove, Okla.; and 11 great-grandchildren.

His parents and first wife preceded him in death.

Casket bearers will be Andy Longoria, Francis Wilkerson, Stan Hinshaw, Keely Marshall, George Hoppes and Don Wilkerson. Honorary bearers will be Jay Stewart, Bill Lowther and Roy Essary.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the Family Life Center Building Fund at Northeast Baptist Church, 2200 N. Pecan, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.