Bevelhymer Hubert Earl Bevelhymer, known simply as Earl to most, Dad to his children, and Papaw to the many who were lucky enough to call him that, was born May 30, 1939, to Herman and Nan Bevelhymer in Wewoka, Oklahoma. He later graduated from New Lima High School. He passed from this life on Friday, September 11th, leaving behind a family he loved deeply.

As a young man, Earl rode unbroken stallions, he raced his cars, and arm wrestled for money— and, as the story goes, was never defeated. He milked dairy cows on his father’s farm before school and labored afterward, as many children did in that time.

Earl met Ruby Jones and a year later, sold his horse for $35 to buy her engagement ring, he got picked up for speeding and lost $15 of the money he needed to pick up the wedding band. He went to his favorite game, the Nickel’s Pin-ball machine, and played for a long time and got his $15 back to pick the ring up. They eloped, went into poverty with 5 children before twenty-five years old and both never looked back being married 64 years.

Early on, they built their life on the foundation of the Church. Saved as a young man at 25 years old at Midway Baptist Church he began his serving as a teacher. Moving to First Baptist Church in Wewoka and has been serving as a Deacon for 41 years and a teacher of Men’s Sunday School class, together teaching 50 years.

Work took Earl from the dairy barn to the oilfield, where he roughnecked, the Driller and a Tool Pusher. While dairy farms were going out across the country, he started his own Industrial Cleaning Company, across several states. While working in Kilgore, Texas, he designed a system to remove oil wax from ponds and return it to liquid form. He eventually returned to milking cows, operating the last dairy in the county and surrounding area until he finally retired. Upon retiring, he transitioned his dairy cattle into a beef herd.

Earl and Ruby’s greatest legacy can be seen in the generations that came after them.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruby; his children, Vicky Anderson; Tony Bevelhymer and wife Melissa; Penny Kelly and husband Ryan; and Christy Findley and husband Mike. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Christopher Anderson and wife Megan; Michael Anderson; Holly Hawks and husband Louis; Adam Bevelhymer and wife Ana; Jessica Nickerson and husband James; Amanda Morrison and husband Nick; Dillon Darr and wifeAlyssa; Taran Findley; Colin Anderson and wife Madison; Dakota Darr and wife Chelsea; Tristan Findley; Hunter Bevelhymer and Makayla; Andrew Bevelhymer and wife Kat; Abigail Kelly; and Savannah Kelly; along with 22 great-grandchildren who will carry his stories, humor, lessons, and legacy forward.

He is also survived by his siblings, Ann Cain and husband Raymond; Jake Bevelhymer; and Darrell Bevelhymer and wife Patricia.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Nan Bevelhymer; his brother, Ray Bevelhymer and wife Janice; his children, Robbie Bevelhymer and Sophia Bevelhymer; his grandchildren, Robbie Chase Whitebird and Megan Mathews; and his sister-in-law, Janie Bevelhymer.

Pallbearers Christopher Anderson, Michael Anderson, Adam Bevelhymer, Andrew Bevelhymer, Dillon Darr Dakota Darr, Taran Findley, Tristan Findley, Colin Anderson, Hunter Bevelhymer Honorary Pallbearers Deacons of First Baptist Church of Wewoka A celebration of Earl’s life was held on Monday, September 14, 2026 at The First Baptist Church of Wewoka, where he faithfully worshiped and served for so many years.

Services are under the direction of Stout-Phillips Funeral Home.