Dr. LYNN R. MUSSLEWHITE

"I always felt I had a calling to be a college history professor." Lynn Musslewhite, 2025

Dr. Lynn R. Musslewhite, Professor Emeritus, passed away at the age of 85 on Monday, April 14, 2025, at his home in Lawton, Okla. His wife and son were by his side.

Lynn Ray Musslewhite was born November 28, 1939, in the small east Texas town of Arp. He was the second of four sons born to Wilton and Lucy (Honeycutt) Musslewhite. Lynn attended Arp public schools until the family moved to Abilene, TX in 1951. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1957 and from Abilene Christian College with a BA degree in 1961. For the next several years he taught in Texas public schools in Boerne, New Braunfels, and Lubbock.

While teaching in Lubbock he met, courted, and married a fellow teacher, Janice Eileen Denison, on November 23, 1966. He secured a position as a Teaching Assistant in the Texas Tech University History Department as he worked toward his Master's and Ph. D. majoring in U.S. History with a minor in American Literature. Money was tight, but Lynn and Jan were happy newlyweds looking towards a fulfilling future. They formed close friendships with other couples living the same lifestyle. The Texas Tech group worked/studied hard with occasional breaks for backyard BBQs and spring break trips to New Mexio. Through the years these friends have held periodic reunions, continuing their lifelong bonds.

In August 1971 Lynn joined the faculty of the Department of History at Cameron University in Lawton, Okla. This was the beginning of a 30-year tenure in the field of his dreams. He was a popular instructor, and his classes filled up quickly. He lectured for 50 minutes with NO notes in a style that was thought provoking and interesting. He interspersed humor as he lectured on the stellar and shameful events that comprised the full story of America's history. He was a scholar who constantly read and researched to update his courses. Some individuals changed their major to history because of him. Lynn was honored to serve as their mentor. Even decades later when he encountered former students, countless numbers would say, "You were the best history teacher I ever had. I hated history before I took your class."

As he continued his teaching career at Cameron, advancing to the rank of Professor, he assumed additional academic responsibilities. He chaired the committee which created the Cameron University faculty handbook. He performed faculty personnel evaluations and was chair of the history department from 1988-1990.

He also engaged in research, writing, and publication of a number of scholarly papers which he read at professional conferences, and had articles published in professional journals and anthologies. In 2001 he wrote and had published "Lawton, 1901-2001: A Centennial History". The writing achievement for which he was most proud was the book he wrote in collaboration with Dr. Suzanne J. Crawford. "One Woman's Political Journey: Kate Barnard and Social Reform, 1875-1930" was published by the University of Oklahoma Press in 2003. It was a finalist for the Oklahoma Non-Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2004.

Lynn served as a volunteer board member/chairman for numerous organizations, committees, councils and societies during his teaching years, many of which he continued after retiring from Cameron in 2001. Lynn played active roles in several functions of the city government. At the request of the mayor, he chaired the committee which created Lawton's first recycling system (unfortunately disbanded). He was the first chair of the Lawton Historical Preservation Board. Lynn served six years on the board of the Oklahoma Humanities Council. For 25 years he participated in the Council's program entitled "Let's Talk About It Oklahoma". As a humanities scholar for this program, he traveled to public libraries throughout Southwest Oklahoma, leading more than 100 book discussions.

Lynn was a member of the board of directors for the Lawton Heritage Association for many years. He and Charles Ellenbrook were co-editors of the Association's newsletter and served together as docents for 10 years. In 2014 Lynn extensively researched and published a book on Lawton's historic Mattie Beal home which can be purchased at the home.

He was a member of the board of directors of the Institute of the Great Plains, which served as a support for the Museum of the Great Plains. For 13 years he was co-editor in the publishing of "The Great Plains Journal". This journal was distributed to museum members and to other institutions. He searched archives to find pictures and conducted over 100 interviews for a 2003 museum exhibit on integration of the Lawton community. He wrote the exhibit's script and published the catalog, "A Struggle for Equality: A Community View". He prepared successful grant applications on behalf of the museum which resulted in awards amounting to $500,000.

He did not overlook volunteering for charitable and religious organizations. In the early 1970's he chaired the board of the local Salvation Army unit. As a longtime member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, he served as chair of the administrative council and the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. Cameron Campus Ministry held a special place in Lynn's heart. As a board member and an officer for over 40 years, he contributed his time and talents toward fostering the objectives of this ecumenical organization - Nurture the Spirit; Challenge the Mind. He rarely missed the weekly luncheons where he established bonds with students, gave talks on a variety of subjects, served on panels, and actively participated in the weekly faculty discussion group sponsored by CCM.

In recognition of his many university and volunteer achievements, he received a number of well-deserved awards. The American Association of University Professors presented him with the 1999-2000 Distinguished Service Award. He received the 2001 Phi Alpha Theta Outstanding Teacher Award, the 1984 Cameron University Distinguished Faculty Award and the 1985 Cameron University Presidential Leaders Award. Other awards included 2003 Citizen of the Year in the Humanities from the Lawton Arts and Humanities Council, the 2004 Volunteer of the Year from the Oklahoma Museum Association, and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Sierra Club for 30 years of support.

Lynn's work and volunteer activities were balanced by a fulfilling personal life. He loved to travel. Prior to each trip he would, of course, research the history of the destination. Among his favorite foreign trips were two trips to China, four riverboat cruises in Europe, and multiple trips to London, Paris, Florence, and Rome. He visited many U.S. states, especially those with national parks. At home, he met regularly with several discussion groups and had a weekly lunch date with friends. He regularly attended local plays, art shows, concerts, and fairs. His absolute favorite pastimes were reading and collecting books. His home library holds over 2000 books, arranged by subject, the majority of which he had read. Most of all Lynn treasured time with his family. He often said how special it was that his family loved each other and enjoyed being together without conflict. Lawton was usually the gathering place for celebrating holidays with his brothers and their families. After retiring, Lynn assumed most of the grocery shopping and daily food preparation duties. He was especially happy as he planned and cooked meals for family visits. He also enjoyed visiting family in Texas, especially his four grandchildren. A few months before his passing Lynn spontaneously said, "I am very, very contented with my life."

Lynn is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jan, of the home; his son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Cathy, of Round Rock, TX; his son, Scott, of the home; and his four grandchildren, Nicole, Sabrina, Caleb, and Luke. He is also survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Larry and Yvonne of Edmond, OK, and Edward and Karen of Tumwater, WA.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his first son, Mark Lee Musslewhite, and his oldest brother, Jerry Lee Musslewhite.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 2:00 pm at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Lawton, OK. His cremated remains will be buried in the Mason Cemetery in Lynn's hometown, Arp, TX at a later date.

The service may be viewed by following the live stream link at www.beckerfuneral.com or by visiting the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Facebook page.

Arrangements are under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home. An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com.

Online memorial gifts may be made in Dr. Musslewhite's name to The Cameron University Foundation at cameron.edu.