Orvil Lorin “O.L.” Locke, Jr. passed away peacefully at the age of 85. O.L. was born in Madill, OK on May 5, 1940. He graduated from Shawnee High School in 1958.
He went on to attend OU and OBU, where he earned a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Fine Arts. His education laid the groundwork for a successful career as a systems analyst and programmer, where his skills opened the door to international work, including several years in Indonesia. There, he helped establish a data center for an international oil company.
In 1964, O.L. entered the US Army and served honorably as a clerk typist at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Despite his accomplishments abroad, O.L.’s greatest contribution came at home. He gave up career advancement to return to Shawnee and care for his aging parents, especially his mother, Effie, during her long struggle with dementia. He did so without complaint, honoring his family with the full strength of his time, care, and loyalty.
O.L. is preceded in death by his parents, Orvil and Effie Locke; his sister, Dorothy Locke Kinnamon; and his brother, William Locke.
He is survived by his cousins: Karen Fletcher, Jack Anderson, and Monroe Holford; his nieces and nephew: Lori Romberg (David), Cal Locke (Dee), Shauna Clark (Will), and Stephanie Walker (John); his sister-in-law, Helen Locke; and numerous friends and neighbors who loved him dearly.
Services were held Aug. 12th at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Shawnee. Private burial will take place at a later date.
