Lyndal “Lyn” Ray Westmoreland passed away on March 20, 2023, in El Reno, Oklahoma, at the age of 64.
Lyn was born to parents J.H. and Cherry Lavonne Murphy Westmoreland on Oct. 9, 1958, in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Growing up in Marietta, he graduated from Marietta High School in 1976.
Lyn continued his education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in Speech Education and a minor in English Education. While continuing to further his studies in theater and speech, Lyn obtained his Master of Science Degree from East Texas State University in 1982.
While teaching at the High School in Felt, Oklahoma, Lyn met another teacher who became the love of his life, Jerri Louise Fones, and they pledged their love and devotion to each other on June 3, 1989. Lyn and Jerri spent 34 years as best friends and partners in life and love, residing in El Reno with their fur children, Boots, Fluff J and Stormy.
Lyn’s natural talent for public communication and a genuine, caring spirit for others resulted in a life-long career as a respected educator for 40 years. Teaching in a variety of subjects, Lyn was more widely recognized as the Okarche district’s Director of Speech and Debate, as well as drama activities, where he taught from 1989-2022. Though Lyn thought he could retire in 2022, he missed his students too much and returned to Okarche to work part-time.
Throughout these years, Lyn was recognized numerous times as the district teacher of the year and even a finalist for Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year in 2011. In the school year 2001-2002, Lyn was also awarded the Oklahoma State Speech Educator of the year and will be recognized as a 2022-2023 Oklahoma Outstanding Theater Educator of the Year. His successes have been numerous, including speech and debate state championships at Okarche in 2001 and 2002, as well as one-act play state championships in 1990, 2004, 2010, 2016 and 2018.
Lyn made a lasting impact on the lives of many students and the Okarche school district. He will truly be missed, and his legacy will continue with those who will remember him.
Lyndal Ray Westmoreland is preceded in death by parents, J.H and Cherry Westmoreland; parents-in-law, Bernard and Zelma Fones; grandparents, Vernie and Maude Westmoreland; and Earl V. “Debs” Murphy and Cordia Lucretia Lang Murphy.
Lyn is survived by his loving wife, Jerri Westmoreland; brother, Michael Jay Westmoreland and wife Loralu Raburn of Amarillo, Texas; sisters, Deborah “Debbi” Sue Westmoreland Brown and husband David of Waxahachie, Texas, and Sandra Dee “Sandee” Westmoreland of Durant, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Margaret Fones Webb and brother-in-law, Doug Webb of Lubbock, Texas; nephews and nieces, Terrall Jay and Katie Woodall of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ryan Webb, Manette Ch’von Nixon McLean and husband John of Bells, Texas, Lucretia D’Nae Nixon Hoxie and husband Levi Curtis of Durant, Oklahoma, and Heather Leann Webb; great nieces and nephews, Terra Jaye Woodall Kelley of Sherman, Texas, Mattie Grace McLean, River Jade Hoxie, Brooks Thomas McLean and Jareth Delano Woodall of Scranton, Pennsylvania; great-great nephew, Dayton Kelley; great-great niece, Denver Kelley; and his fur kids, Boots, Fluffy J and Stormy.
Lyn’s life will be remembered on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the Okarche High School gymnasium. Services are under the direction of Ingram, Smith and Turner Mortuary in Yukon, Oklahoma.
Remembering Lyn’s Legacy, donations can be made to Okarche High School speech and debate team.
