Robert Olin Bain

Robert Olin Bain 75, of Wilburton passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2011, at his home in Wilburton. Memorial services were Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Jones-Harkins Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Kevin Fitzgerald officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Wilburton, OK.

Robert was born July 13, 1935, in Clarendon. He was the son of Olin and Martha Baskerville Bain. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Wilburton where he served as Lay Pastor. He was raised in West Texas and got to Oklahoma just as fast as he could. He was Salutatorian of the 1953 class at Clarendon High School.

Robert was in the U.S. Army and in 1955 he was stationed in Korea for 16 months. He was also stationed in Kansas and Arizona. Robert went to college at Panhandle State in Goodwell and Southwestern University in Weatherford earning his Master’s degree in Education. While attending college he worked various jobs. After earning his degree he started his teaching career teaching at Yukon High School for three years and in 1970 moved to Wilburton to teach at Eastern Oklahoma State College. He later was employed by Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma (KEDDO) working several years in a variety of different programs before becoming the Executive Director. He retired in 2000 from KEDDO.
After his retirement from KEDDO, Robert worked for the Wilburton Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Panola Public School, Wilburton Housing Authority and Wilburton Public Schools.

Robert was also an avid volunteer participating with Kiwanis Club, Robbers Cave Fall Festival Committee, Wilburton Main Street, Wilburton Chamber of Commerce, Ministerial Alliance and the Latimer County Free Clinic.

Survivors include his wife Kay of the home, one son Scott Bain of Wilburton, Okla., and one daughter and son-in-law Leigh and Danny Baldwin of Wilburton, Okla., five grandchildren; Jake Blackwood, Misty Blackwood Hampton and husband Tony, Kelly Baldwin Franklin and husband Broc, Cody and Eldon Bain; five great grandchildren; Alyssa Blackwood, Haley and Kristie Blackwood, Lane and Drey Franklin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Bliss Bain, son John Todd Bain and his in-laws George and Lois Schollenbarger.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Harrel Lee Kennedy, Chester Dennis, John Cook, Rob Reager, Gerald Foster and Joe Conley

Arrangements are entrusted to Jones-Harkins Funeral Home, Wilburton, Okla.