Gerald Bivins

Gerald Leonard Bivins, Sr. 86 a resident of Beggs, died at his home in Beggs on Sunday, February 3, 2008. He was born in Beggs January 29, 1922 to Mike and Viola (Pendleton) Bivins. After graduating from high school he had the chance to play professional baseball, but chose to attend Oklahoma State A&M on a baseball scholarship. Soon after his first year at A&M he was drafted into the U.S. Navy, where he served from 1942 during WWII until his discharge in 1945. He married Elsie Gaye Richardson in Reno, Nevada on September 4, 1948. He also attended Penn State Business College. Mr. Bivins has been in the lumber business most of his life, working for his father in Beggs, then in California and later in Tulsa as a General Manager for the Hope Lumber Company and Millcreek Lumber Company. He was a longtime member of the Lumberman’s Association, a Legion Member of the NRA, VFW, Masonic Lodge, Shriner, and 1st. Baptist Church of Beggs, was an honorary Okmulgee County Sheriff Deputy and while in California was approached to be a stand-in for the actor James Garner. His Father, two daughters; Jacquelyn Marie Bivins and Patricia Ann Bivins, a sister Freda Stockton and a great grandson Quinton preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife Elsie Gayle Bivins of the home, three sons; Gerald L. and wife Dee Dee Bivins of Beggs, Stephen and wife Patricia Bivins of Beggs, Randal Bivins of Tulsa, one daughter; Brenda Silkebakken of Muskogee, his mother; Viola Bivins of Tustin, CA, one brother Mike and wife Judy Bivins of Oroville, CA, two sisters; Lois Nave of Tucson, AZ, Della Ann Clark of Tustin, CA, fifteen grandchildren; Holly Silkebakken, Tracy Bivins, Greg Bivins, J.J. Bivins, Colby Bivins, Andrew Bivins, Michael Bivins, Jackie Bivins, Candy Satterwhite, Mendy Wahnee, Michelle Johnson, Brian Waddell, Sarah Waddell, Chasta Bivins and Bobby Bivins and eleven great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 2 PM at the 1^st Baptist Church in Beggs with Thom Chappelle officiating. Interment will be in the Beggs Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday 12-8 PM at the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home in Beggs. Condolences may be made at mcclendo-winters.com.