Celebration of Life Service for Byron Matthew Tapia will be at 12:00 p.m.  Monday, May 29, 2023 at the Lawton Farmer's Market, 77 SW 4th St in Lawton.

Byron Matthew Tapia, a son, born to Gale Edward Tapia and Barbara Tapia, March 18, 1957 at Letterman Army Hospital at the Presidio in San Francisco, California. A man who no longer wanted to be constrained by the machines of dialysis, passed peacefully on his own terms at home Tuesday May 16, 2023. He joins his brother, Edward Christian; mother, Barbara; and his Grandparents, Edward, Viviana, Loucylle, George and step-grandfather, Olav Gustavson.

In his last days, he was reminded not to give them, "HELL in HEAVEN", to which he just smiled. He was not afraid of anything, maybe heights, but not death. Attending Sherman Elementary School, Marina Junior High, and Galleo High School, his personality left a mark on everyone he met, winning yearbook categories such as Best Physical Figure, Fastest Mouth, and Class Clown. His younger years were spent with his many friends & family in San Francisco. As a kid, he loved the simple things in life. He loved spending time at the family home in the hills of Santa Cruz. He loved giving his brothers a hard time, playing baseball and basketball with friends until dark, baseball cards, gum, Frosted Flakes, licorice, watching Saturday cartoons, walking to the market, and the many explorative adventures of an inner-city kid. As a teen, he loved smoking cigarettes, hanging with the Frisco boys, many girls, playing pranks, bending the rules, and drinking hootch with his best friend.

He left Cali to further his education in San Antonio, Texas where he showed a love for the arts, writing poetry and music. He loved football but the Texas coaches didn't love his long hair. Byron never cared to fit in. You could find him in a zoot suit in a room of T-shirt wearing teens or in a cut off t shirt and shorts in a room of adults in business attire. Many would say he was the life of the party; others would say he was a quiet thinker while also being a fearless defender. He left the confinement of school to join the oil field. He hustled tools across the south and described many nights partying across the US/Mexico border with the senioritas.

He worked in seismography, construction, demolition, carpet cleaning, landscaping, golf course maintenance, and more. He met his wife, he called his Indian Princess in Ft.Cobb, Oklahoma and they settled down in Lawton, Oklahoma. He worked hard and played harder. You could find him in the bar after work with a glass of whiskey, picking the next song on the jute box. He loved listening to music almost as much as whiskey. His music choices were as diverse as his group of friends. He went through dark times like us all but always found light and joy in the morning. He found purpose in raising his children, Chance and Celeste. He didn't have much to give but he always gave love. He was an amazing dad, Coach, listener, friend, and neighbor. He touched the lives of many. His wit, humor, positivity, and his love are what we will carry with us.

Byron is survived by his children Celeste and husband Donyel Hurd, Chance and wife Ashleigh Tapia, Sadie Mezhua, and Christopher Morris; his loving wife of 17 years, Katie Lynn Domebo, and many grandchildren; his father, Gale Edward and stepmother Holly Tapia; his brothers, David Gale Tapia, Bryan and sister, Jennifer Tapia; many nieces and nephews; many cousins; and people that he helped along the way with encouragement, support and guidance.