Derl Eugene Blaylock passed away at Holdenville General Hospital on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at the age of 78. Mr. Blaylock was born in Eakly, Oklahoma on September 30, 1930 to Jason & Vera Brittain Blaylock. As a child, Derl attended Gum Springs School, east of Holdenville. Derl enlisted in the U.S. Army on December 19, 1949. In August 1950, he was wounded in action during the Korean War. While hospitalized Derl was awarded several medals, and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. As the medals were being passed out the Army ran out of the Purple Heart medals. At the time of Derl’s death he never received his Purple Heart and wasn’t interested in inquiring about it. When asked, his answer, “Awe. No, it’s no big deal.” Derl was honorably discharged from the Army on December 19, 1952.

Derl married Betty Jean Butler on April 7, 1954 in Gallup, New Mexico and lived in Bakersfield, California, then moved his family to Horntown in 1957 where they made their home for 52 years. In 1960, son, Kenny Eugene, was born followed by daughter, Tracy Jean, in 1963 and favorite child puppy, Rocky, in 2004.

While living in California, Derl worked in a Butcher Shop cutting up beef. When returning to Hughes County, Derl worked as a Pipe Liner and was a member of the Local Pipe Liners Union #798. His next venture was co-owning and operating Holdenville Farm Center. After that, Derl would do various welding jobs for people. Through out his active years he did custom hay baling for numerous people in and around Hughes County, baled his own hay for resale, raised cattle on the family farm, and with Betty’s help always had a huge garden.

Derl devoted approximately 6 years on the Moss School Board of Education and was a member of Banner Baptist Church in Horntown for 50+ years. When Derl was not working he enjoyed fishing, his favorites being Crappie and Catfish, taking his third child, Rocky, for runs in the pasture; he loved to watch his grandkids play ball and feeding anyone that walked into his home, especially his grandkids and great grandkids.

Preceding Derl in death were his wife of 52 years, Betty Jean Butler Blaylock on January 9, 2007; son, Kenny Eugene Blaylock in July 2008; his parents; a brother, S.J. Blaylock; and a sister, Phyllis Jerigan.

Survivors are daughter, Tracy Jean Blaylock, Ada; granddaughter, Kendra Blaylock, Horntown; grandson, Rath Blaylock and wife, April; great grandchildren, Hailey Vonn, Riley Deonne, and Robby Tate, all of Lamar; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Blaylock, Horntown; and special adopted grandchildren, Landon and Lexie Moody.

Pallbearers are Jason Moody, Kevin Nolen, Randy Brown, John Rhoades, Terry Hardwick, and Jim Ray Thompson. Honorary pallbearers are Laren Robinson, Mike Meek, Phillip Lee, Bill Arthur, Randy Dennie, Harmon Thetford, Mark Brown, P.D Brown, Lloyd Stringfellow, Tommy Pettit, Ronnie Stringfellow, Dale Turner, Richard Nolen, Jim Thetford, Troy Rogers, and Malcolm Harden.

Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at Banner Baptist Church, Horntown, with Pastor Ron Chastine officiating and burial will follow at Crossroads Cemetery, north of Calvin. Services are under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home of Holdenville.

Please visit our online guest book at www.phillipsfuneralservice.com.