Raymond Verl Clyborn

Raymond Verl Clyborn, (94), passed away on July 15, 2023. 

Raymond was born to Jake and Lela Clyborn on September 21, 1928 in Kibby, Oklahoma.  He attended grade school in Kibby until his parents moved to Laverne, Oklahoma when Raymond

was 8 years old.  After graduating from Laverne High School, Raymond joined his dad in the cattle business.

Raymond married Arlene Fern Clyborn on September 1, 1948.  They lived in their home located two miles north of Laverne.  They had two children, Deborah Ann (Clyborn) Willingham, born August 10, 1951, and Fern Rena Clyborn, born September 25, 1952, who died in infancy.   

When Raymond’s dad died, Raymond became the sole owner of the ranch and cattle business he and his dad owned and remained as such until 1986 when he retired at age 58.

Raymond joined the Masons in 1962 and was an active member for over 50 years and served as Master Mason during that time.  Raymond received his Scottish Rite 50-year pin on March 31, 2012, in Guthrie, Oklahoma; and on May 7th, 2012, Raymond received his 50-year Masonic Pin. Raymond enjoyed being a Mason and sharing in the fellowship of Laverne’s Masonic Lodge.

In Raymond’s younger life he and his family loved to go boating and skiing.  Before Arlene's tragic death in 1997, Raymond and Arlene loved traveling with friends and having great adventures. They enjoyed snowmobiling with friends in the Colorado Mountains. They also went to multiple rodeos over the years, including several International Finals Rodeos in Oklahoma City, National Finals Bull Riding in Guthrie, and Canada’s Calgary Stampede. 

One of Raymond’s most memorable experiences was a trip he and Arlene took to Alaska with another couple. The owner of a small twin engine plane persuaded the group to fly to an isolated village to experience an authentic Eskimo village and eat dinner with the Eskimos.  When the small plane took off, it shook so badly they didn’t know if they would make it off the ground!  When the plane finally made it to the Eskimo village, they enjoyed seeing where the Eskimos lived and how they made their living. When it was time to fly back, they got to enjoy another memorable experience of fear and laughter while praying the old twin engine plane had enough ump to get them safely back where they started!  After safely arriving back, it became one of their most memorable experiences to share with their friends and family.

In 1998, Raymond met Leona Reddinger Treat and they became close friends and shared each other’s companionship until Leona passed away January 16, 2013. They enjoyed traveling together and going to rodeos. Raymond also enjoyed traveling with his daughter, Deborah and son-in-law, Kerry. They traveled to Alaska in 2002 and to Hawaii in 2008.  Raymond always enjoyed traveling and seeing new places and learning about their culture.

Raymond was proceeded in death by his sister, Hazel F. Clyborn, his daughter Fern Rena, his parents Jake and Lela Clyborn, and his wife, Arlene, who died October 19,1997 after 49 years of marriage.

Raymond is survived by his daughter, Deborah Willingham and husband Kerry who live in Edmond, Oklahoma; four grandchildren: Chad Hamilton and wife, Jamie, Nathan Hamilton and wife, Kourtney, Kristi Ice, Kelli Burns and husband Audie, and eight great-grandchildren:  Makalyn and Callie Hamilton, Logan and Liam Hamilton, Zachary and Lexi Ice; and Emma and Kinley Burns.