Funeral service for Emmett Meraz, Jr., 91, Lawton, will be 10:30 am Monday, March 2, 2015, in Central Baptist Church with Dr. Brad Allen officiating. Mr. Meraz died Wednesday, February 25, 2015, in Lawton. Burial with military honors will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home. Emmett was born on April 28, 1923, in Lawton to Emeterio and Gregoria (Mora) Meraz. He attended First Baptist Church, Lawton, as a child and was baptized there at the age of eleven. He attended Lawton High School where he was elected Senior Class President for the Class of 1944. While in high school he was a standout football player, basketball player, baseball player, and track athlete. He served his country in United States Army Air Corp during World War II, being stationed in Brazil with the C54 Troop Transport from 1944-1946. After the war, he attended Cameron Junior College on a football scholarship from 1946-1948 where he was a halfback on the 1947 team that went to the Junior Rose Bowl. He achieved his Associate's Degree from Cameron and went on to Southeastern Oklahoma State University on a football scholarship from 1948-1950. He also ran track and was on the baseball team. After receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Education from Southeastern, he coached high school football at Madill (1950-1953), Ryan (1954-1955) and Bethany (1955-1956). Emmett also coached in the college ranks at what was then called Eastern A&M in Wilburton, Oklahoma (1957-1959). He received his Master's of Education from the University of Oklahoma in 1957. He served as dean of students at Cameron Junior College from 1959-1960 before joining the faculty as professor of mathematics, where he served from 1960-1986. On July 27, 1963, he married the love of his life, Lana Elaine Hall. The couple was married for almost 50 years as only her death on December 26, 2012, could separate them for a time. They were faithful members at Central Baptist Church in Lawton and faithfully raised five sons. Emmett was a well-known leader in his community. His can-do attitude and work ethic were an inspiration. His positive personality and glowing smile were infectious. He was extremely intelligent and incredibly gifted in athletics even into his retirement age. Whatever circumstance life gave him he persevered with dignity and strength. He was humorous and enjoyed every moment of life. He was always reaching out to others and had a genuine love for people. Emmett's love for his wife and sons is a model for all to follow. Above all, he loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with all his heart. In the opinion of Emmett's sons, "We have never known a greater man on this earth than our Dad. Surely, the world would be a better place if all would follow his example". Emmett is survived by his five sons and daughters-in-law: Emmett III, and wife, Debbie; Jonathan, and wife, Stephanie; Gerald, and wife, Tracy; Aaron, and wife, Rebecca; Nathaniel, and wife, Debi. Further, he is survived by ten grandchildren: Paige York (and husband, Shane), Kyle Meraz, Kerra Meraz, Jenna Laine Meraz, Bethany Meraz, Aaron Meraz, Jr., Sarah Meraz, Tanner Meraz, Nicholas Meraz, and Marissa Meraz. He is also survived by many extended family and friends, each of whom he dearly loved. He was preceded in death by his precious wife, his parents, two brothers and seven sisters.