Funeral services for Earl Eugene Foreman, 90 year-old Hydro, Oklahoma resident, will be held Monday, April 13, 2015, 10:00 A.M. in the First United Methodist Church in Hydro, with Pastors Brandon Blacksten and Rick Dyson officiating. Burial will follow in Hydro Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home.

Earl was born April 9, 1925, south of Hydro, Oklahoma, to Fred and Beulah (Thiessen) Foreman and passed away Thursday, April 9, 2015 at Maple Lawn Manor in Hydro, Oklahoma. Earl was raised south of Hydro on the family farm. He walked three miles barefoot in the snow, uphill both ways to attend Fost Rural School and he graduated from Hydro High School in 1943. Earl always enjoyed a good laugh and found ways to be mischievous growing up with his brothers and sisters. They shared a special bond and were a tight knit family.

Earl served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II stationed in the Philippines. Upon his return, Grandmother Thiessen encouraged him to go to Eakly and meet that brown-eyed Smalley girl. He followed her advice and on December 16, 1949, Earl married Illa Jean Smalley in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Together they enjoyed 53 years of marriage and raised three daughters. They made their home south of Hydro before moving into town in 1965. Earl worked for Rock Island Railroad from 1953 to 1980 and also farmed. He later worked for the City of Hydro, the Gasohol Plant, and the True Value Hardware Store before retiring in 1988.

Earl enjoyed mowing lawns for his friends and neighbors, working in the garden, spending time with family, and his church home where he served in a variety of roles and sang in the choir for many years. He also had fun playing the harmonica, drinking coffee with his friends at the coffee shop, sharing a good story or funny joke, and attending the Country Jamboree. Earl was active for many years in the American Legion and faithfully put out flags in the town of Hydro and at the cemetery. He enjoyed 90 wonderful years on this earth with a heart that was full of compassion and a joy that was truly genuine.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Hydro.

Earl is survived by two daughters, Cathy Shaffer and husband, Jeff of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Iann Flowers and husband, Chris of Humble, Texas; one granddaughter, Ali Flowers of Austin, Texas; one grandson, Hammer Flowers of Humble, Texas; one special sweetheart, Opal Thompson of Thomas, Oklahoma; two brothers, Harold Foreman and Ben Foreman and wife, Donna all of El Reno, Oklahoma; two sisters, Ruby Sutton of Hydro, Oklahoma and Dorothy Berry and husband, Don of Warrenton, Missouri; many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Illa; and one daughter, Brenda Foreman.