OLDHAM

Earle Dean Oldham, Sr. was born along with his twin sister, Merle Jean, in Montalba, Texas on December 2, 1931, Earle was raised in the small East Texas town of Pittsburg. The twins were joined three years later by twin siblings, Carroll and Carolyn and were known

throughout town as The Oldham Twins. Earle picked up a few other names over the years...Judge, Mr. Speedo, Early Bird, Brother Earle, The Earle of Oldham and his favorites, Uncle Earle, Daddy, Grandaddy and Papa.

After graduating from Pittsburg High at the ripe age of 16, Earle attended East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, Texas where he studied education which led to a lifelong career that brought him such joy and purpose. He was called away from his classroom of students to serve our country in Korea which inevitably ingrained a deep love of country and service.

Upon his return, he made a move to the town that would become a part of his heart forever ~Tomball, Texas. It is in this “home town with a heart” that he met and married the love of his life, Miss Bobbie Jean Stilley as they both served as teachers at Tomball Elementary School. He moved into the office of Principal, where he poured his heart & soul into the lives of the students in his community. Many years later he took on the role of Assistant Superintendent for Instruction before retiring from his life’s work that he had so enjoyed.

A deep & abiding love for the Lord was at the center of his life as he studied the scriptures & faithfully led his family by consistently pointing them to the truth found only in God’s Word.

He faithfully made attending church and serving others a natural part of his life and loved sharing his faith with anyone he met.

A servant at heart, Earle lived this out in many leadership roles during his lifetime. Whatever he committed his time and heart to receive his full effort and expertise, including Deacon, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Home Rule Charter, City Council, East Texas Baptist Alumni Association and far too many committees to count. He received the honor of Citizen of the Year due to his abiding commitment to the citizens and town he loved so dearly. He worked faithfully to keep his classmates from both high school and college connected through annual class reunions and devoted time and effort raising scholarship funds for students to fulfill their dream of attending college.

Some of his sweetest days were spent in the mountains of Colorado, on the links of a golf course or relaxing in his chair with a good book. The overarching focus and love of Earle’s life were his family and friends. He cherished them and they knew it. He definitely received an A+ in staying connected, keeping in touch, expressing his love and pouring into their lives in any way he could. He was devoted and faithful and he found no greater joy than to chat either in person or by phone. All who know him would say his love language was best expressed over “a cuppa coffee”! It was Earle, Daddy, Grandaddy, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Friend at his best...face to face sharing thoughts and connecting.

He leaves quite a legacy and precious memories to his family which include ~ wife, Bobbie Jean Stilley Oldham, children, Deana Oldham Lawrence & husband Vic Lawrence, Dean Oldham and wife Rusty Toyias Oldham, Grandchildren Jordan Lawrence and wife Caidee Nabours Lawrence, Hunter Lawrence and wife Sarah Weathersby Lawrence, Marquis Foote, Jaxson Dean Oldham, Remy Grace Oldham and Great-Grandchildren Stilley Josephine Lawrence, Quincy Belle Lawrence and Ira Leone Lawrence and precious siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was and is dearly loved & carried in each of our hearts!