Herschel Dean Stearman

On Monday, January 25, 2021, Herschel Dean Stearman, 81, passed from this life to be with his Lord and Savior. . Herschel was born on May 30, 1939, at his childhood home in Meeker, Okla., to Raymond and Norma (Gallaway) Stearman. He was raised in Meeker where he graduated high school with the class of 1957. Herschel then attended Central State College where he received both his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree in education. Herschel worked for the Meeker public school system starting as a history teacher and baseball coach. Over the course of his 38-year career in education, he coached junior high and high school baseball, along with junior high boys and girls basketball. He was the junior high principal for a period of time before taking the job as principal of the elementary school, where he remained until his retirement. After retiring, Herschel returned to coaching and developed and coached the high school golf team. He will forever be a ‘Bulldog’. On August 3, 2001, he married Barbara Pickett at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Moore, Okla. Herschel was a devout Christian and worked hard every day to serve his Lord and Savior in all things. His faith was extremely important. He helped lead many people to Christ and shared the gospel any chance he could. One of his favorite greetings was ‘GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD’. Herschel served as a deacon and actively participated in the men’s prayer group. He was also very active in life. In his younger days, he enjoyed quail hunting, water skiing, camping, riding motorcycles, playing softball, and riding horses. Herschel played in the men’s church league and coached the women’s softball team at Morning Star Baptist Church. He loved fixing things and keeping things clean and orderly. Ever into athletics, he loved playing golf and was a member of the Oklahoma City Senior Golf League. The only thing in Herschel’s life as important as his faith was time he could spend with his family, especially his big brother. Herschel loved watching his grandchildren participate in activities and attended whenever possible. He was always in the stands supporting and cheering them on. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother-in-law Boots Lasley. Herschel is survived by his wife, Barbara, of the home; two daughters, Melanie Gaines of Shawnee, Okla., and Julie and her husband, Justin Lockwood of Glencoe, Okla; three step-sons and daughters-in-law, Daryn and Lauri Korstjens of Plano, TX, Aaron and Lisa Korstjens of Moore, Okla., and Kevin and Katy Korstjens of Mustang, Okla.; ten grandchildren, Quint and his wife Kaylee Lockwood, Kurt Lockwood, Audrey and Grey Gaines, Lindsey, Alleson, Gunner, Aven, Kanon and Minnie Ann Korstjens; brother and sister-in-law, Doyle and Claudia Stearman; sister Joyce Lasley; and many other family and friends. Funeral services will be Friday, January 29, at 1:00 P.M. at Mammoth Baptist Church in Meeker, Okla., with Mike Hazelwood officiating. Interment will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Meeker, Okla. Herschel’s service will also be available to watch via live stream on the Facebook page of Walker Funeral Service. The stream will begin at 1:00 P.M. Services are under the direction of Walker Funeral Service in Shawnee, Okla.