Official Obituary of
Leman Kirk Gilstrap
March 5, 1935 ~ February 16, 2025 (age 89) 89 Years Old
Leman Gilstrap Obituary
Leman Kirk Gilstrap, 89, of Edmond, Oklahoma passed away from a stroke on Sunday, February 16, 2025 in Edmond where he was living with his daughter and son-in-law. Leman was born March 5, 1935, in Quinton, Oklahoma, the only child to Ruby (Smith) Gilstrap and husband Fred Gilstrap. He graduated from Quinton High School in 1954.
The summer after high school, while working on a road crew, Leman spotted Quinton High School junior Doris Benton. They fell in love instantly.
Leman graduated from Northeastern State University in 1958 with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education. He was immediately drafted into the US Army as part of the medical corps, 4th Armored Division, Psychiatrist Office, as a clerk typist. Before he sailed to Germany to serve for 18 months, he married Doris on March 3, 1959. As his birthday was March 5, she was his birthday present each year.
In 1960, Doris and Leman moved to Seminole, Oklahoma where Leman became a bookkeeper for Continental Emsco Oil Field & Supply Co. Their only child, Teresa, was born in Seminole in August of 1961. The family was recalled to Fort Polk, LA in September 1961. In September 1964, the Gilstraps moved to Duncan, Oklahoma where Leman was the Continental Emsco store manager. In Duncan, they made close friendships that became like family and lasted a lifetime.
Continental Emsco transferred Leman to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1979. The family moved to Norman in May 1979, where Doris and Leman lived until her death in 2014. After his retirement in 1995, Leman drove over a million miles for local car dealerships in Norman/Purcell. As a car lover, this was his favorite pastime.
Leman loved literature and writing. He was an avid reader and crossword puzzle aficionado. Some of his life's passions included watching his daughter twirl for Duncan High School, watching and attending OU football games (especially with his grandson, Barron), watching and attending Dallas Cowboys football games, watching the OKC Thunder, watching OU Girls Softball, and his latest sports obsession was Kaitlyn Clark. He worked hard for his family and loved them fiercely. His nickname was Smiley, and that is how his family who loves him very much will remember him fondly.
Leman is survived by his only child, Teresa Gilstrap Murphree and husband Todd; grandson, Barron Beau Brown and wife Lindsey; step-granddaughter, Madison Rowen and husband Brian; step-granddaughter, Cayman Murphree; great-grandchildren: Beau Dallas Brown, Jackson Kirk Brown, Harrison Randle Brown, and Brooklynn Grace Rowen.
Leman is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Ruby, and wife, Doris Gilstrap.
A memorial service is planned for 1:00 P.M., Saturday, March 1, 2025 in the Whitt Funeral Home Chapel Billy Morgan officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home/Oakcrest Cremation Center.
Online condolences may be made at www.whittfh.com.
The summer after high school, while working on a road crew, Leman spotted Quinton High School junior Doris Benton. They fell in love instantly.
Leman graduated from Northeastern State University in 1958 with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education. He was immediately drafted into the US Army as part of the medical corps, 4th Armored Division, Psychiatrist Office, as a clerk typist. Before he sailed to Germany to serve for 18 months, he married Doris on March 3, 1959. As his birthday was March 5, she was his birthday present each year.
In 1960, Doris and Leman moved to Seminole, Oklahoma where Leman became a bookkeeper for Continental Emsco Oil Field & Supply Co. Their only child, Teresa, was born in Seminole in August of 1961. The family was recalled to Fort Polk, LA in September 1961. In September 1964, the Gilstraps moved to Duncan, Oklahoma where Leman was the Continental Emsco store manager. In Duncan, they made close friendships that became like family and lasted a lifetime.
Continental Emsco transferred Leman to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1979. The family moved to Norman in May 1979, where Doris and Leman lived until her death in 2014. After his retirement in 1995, Leman drove over a million miles for local car dealerships in Norman/Purcell. As a car lover, this was his favorite pastime.
Leman loved literature and writing. He was an avid reader and crossword puzzle aficionado. Some of his life's passions included watching his daughter twirl for Duncan High School, watching and attending OU football games (especially with his grandson, Barron), watching and attending Dallas Cowboys football games, watching the OKC Thunder, watching OU Girls Softball, and his latest sports obsession was Kaitlyn Clark. He worked hard for his family and loved them fiercely. His nickname was Smiley, and that is how his family who loves him very much will remember him fondly.
Leman is survived by his only child, Teresa Gilstrap Murphree and husband Todd; grandson, Barron Beau Brown and wife Lindsey; step-granddaughter, Madison Rowen and husband Brian; step-granddaughter, Cayman Murphree; great-grandchildren: Beau Dallas Brown, Jackson Kirk Brown, Harrison Randle Brown, and Brooklynn Grace Rowen.
Leman is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Ruby, and wife, Doris Gilstrap.
A memorial service is planned for 1:00 P.M., Saturday, March 1, 2025 in the Whitt Funeral Home Chapel Billy Morgan officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home/Oakcrest Cremation Center.
Online condolences may be made at www.whittfh.com.
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