Funeral service for Loal E. Buttram will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 6, 2020 in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor David Voegtlin and Wanda Kellett, First Free Will Baptist Church, Lawton, Oklahoma officiating.

Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will greet friends from 2:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.

Loal E. Buttram, 86, of Lawton, Oklahoma died on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, at the Lawton/Fort Sill Veterans Center.  He was born in Hulen, Oklahoma on May 10, 1933 to Watie and Rhoda (Arnold) Buttram.  He graduated from Lawton High School in 1951.  He served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955.  He married Madell Van Hoozer on June 11, 1955.  After his discharge from the Army, he worked for Meads Bakery from 1955 – 1979, then for Rainbo Bakery as a bread salesman until he retired in 1988 at the age of 55.

When he retired, he played softball with teams from both Stillwater and Tulsa, finally playing Senior Softball with the Royals of Oklahoma City.  He played tournaments in 13 states and in Winnipeg, Canada.  His team won the Senior World Championship Tournament in Las Vegas in 2004.  He received a gold pocket watch and beautiful blue championship ring which he wore proudly.  He loved to show off his ring and tell everyone about how he continued to play softball well into his 70's.

He loved taking care of family, watching over the care of his parents until they passed away.  He also helped his siblings and in-laws, whether it was repairing roofs with his brothers, herding cattle with his brothers-in-law, as well as helping maintain the First Free Will Baptist Church and youth camp at times.  His favorite times were family reunions held in eastern Oklahoma and family visits that included homemade ice cream and singing gospel songs.

He attended the First Free Will Baptist Church, which was started by his parents in their home in the early 1950's.  He was saved late in life at the age of 86.

He is survived by his wife, Madell, two sons, Timothy Buttram and wife Debbie of Duncan, Keith Buttram, of the home, one daughter, Shelia Rooker and husband Rob of Lawton, one sister, Martha Langford of Tulsa, one brother-in-law, Ted Van Hoozer of Lawton, two sister-in-laws, Melba Van Hoozer of Lawton and Audrey Buttram of Joplin, Missouri, three grandsons, Aron Claborn and Shannon Rooker of Lawton, Todd Rooker of Alabama, two granddaughters, Amanda Buttram of Duncan and Jennifer McConnell and husband David of Shirley, Indiana, three great-granddaughters, Sunny Reeder, Kasundra Gardner and Lauren Thompson, one great-grandson, Colson Reeder, four great-great grandchildren, Clayton, Layne, Shaelynn and Eden.  In addition he is survived by many nieces and nephews and many loving cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Watie and Rhoda Buttram, one daughter, Vicky Buttram, two sisters, Vivian Williamson and Reba Jo Denton, and four brothers, Edmond, Doyle, Kenneth and Loy Buttram.