Orville Lindsey

Orville Dan Lindsey passed away on April 23, 2020 in Vinita. He was born February 8, 1937 in Craig County Oklahoma the son of David Orville Lindsey and Jerlean Vieta (Horn) Lindsey. He lived in the Vinita area all his life, except for three years in the state of Washington, and five years in the state of Colorado. Mr. Lindsey was one of six children born to David and Jerlean.  Siblings included two brothers and three sisters: David N. Lindsey, George A. Lindsey, Jean J. (Lindsey) Robertson, Geraldine V. (Lindsey) Epperson, and Ann A. (Lindsey) Whitesell.He was the uncle of nine nieces and fifteen nephews, numerous grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. Many other children and younger adults referred to him as "Uncle Dan".Dan was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jean, his brothers George and David Lindsey, nephews; Kerry Epperson, John Lindsey, Bruce Lindsey, William Lindsey, and Bruce Epperson, a niece; Sharon Goodman.

Survivors include two sisters; Ann Whitesell of Vinita and Geraldine Epperson of  Choctaw; many nieces, nephews, grand and great- grand nieces and nephews; and a few friends.

Dan was a believer in the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, he was a member of First Baptist Church, Vinita. He began his education in a one room schoolhouse, at Todd School - District# 39. It was located 6 ½ miles east of Vinita and approximately ¼ mile north of the old Frisco Rail-Road tracks. After completing the eighth grade he attended Afton High School.

On June 24, 1953, he was bucked off a horse receiving a C4 - C5 spinal cord injury, totally paralyzing him instantly. This was between his junior and senior year of high school. He was hospitalized for seven and one-half months in the Oklahoma University Hospital for Crippled Children, in Oklahoma City. This is where he regained partial use of his right arm. While in the hospital he was tutored by a licensed teacher furnished by the OU Medical Center. To complete his high-school education he was given the following subjects to study; World History, Geography, English and Vocational Agriculture, the teacher taught him and a few other boys whose parents requested her services. She was raised in the city, therefore she taught him World History and he taught her about Vocational Agriculture and life on the farm. After returning home on February 8, 1954 the faculty of Afton High School took turns visiting Dan at his parent's residence once or twice a week to quiz him about these subjects. They were Joe Tom Hudspeth, superintendent; Mrs. Hazel Bronaugh, Principal and Sam (Bud) Victor, Vo-Ag teacher. It took Dan about two & one-half years to adjust to the injury. He was plagued by bouts of depression, humiliation, and frustration.  After adjusting to the injury, he traveled & studied extensively from 1955 onward. In 1965 he finished a four-year course in accounting sponsored by Colorado Department of Rehabilitation. After reviewing the course for a short while he sat for and passed the final examination in a CPA/s office in downtown Denver, Colorado. Oklahoma honored the accounting certificate, and he was licensed by the Oklahoma State Board of Accountancy He was a member of The Oklahoma Society of Public Accountants, The National Society of Public Accountants. He also studied for and passed a two-day test administered by the Internal Revenue Service, receiving status as "An Agent Enrolled to Practice before the Internal Revenue Service". For many years he was a "Self Employed: Independent Accountant" who prepared tax returns for clients. He also kept books and wrote up monthly income statements for various entities in the surrounding area;  completing monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for those business' when due.

Dan's activities after his injury included visiting with friends, fishing, playing cards, dominos, chess, Trivial Pursuit, and other games. Traveling with family and friends was one thing he enjoyed most. He traveled into Canada, Mexico, and all states west of Mississippi River, and many of the eastern states, having once visited Washington D.C., and the Atlantic coastal states.

He was a voracious reader of Bible history and ancient Greek Literature. But since variety is the spice of life;   he also read many biographies and autobiographies, plus other books and magazines.

Dan enjoyed various kinds of music; old-style Country-Western, The Grand Old Opera, Bluegrass,        Big Band Sound, Jazz, and Blues. Traveling to Silver Dollar City during the various festivals with family and friends was always an excursion be looked forward too. It may surprise many of you, but he took pleasure in other music. Occasionally he watched the following programs on Oklahoma Educational Television, the Boston Pops, Philadelphia Philharmonics, and the New York Opera.

He was active in organizations concerning the rights of the elderly and handicapped of our state and nation. While serving Governor's David Boren and George Nigh on, "The Governor's Committee for Employment of the Handicapped" he participated in conferences and served on various committees regarding the needs and rights of elderly and handicapped individuals. In recognition of his participation in serving on these various committees and the many trips he had made to Oklahoma City in the late 1970/s, he was invited to "The Presidents White House Conference for Employment of the Handicapped".

The input and suggestions made by the different committees were instrumentals in aiding the U.S. Congress with the writing and passage of many laws, which culminated with the passage of the "Americans with Disability Act". The ADA assures the rights of all persons, including the elderly and handicapped citizens of Oklahoma and the Nation, rights such as making all public buildings and facilities assessable to and usable by all citizens; the right to fair housing, education, transportation, employment, and so on.

Private family graveside services will be at Mount Hope Cemetery Afton, Oklahoma with Pastor Randy J. Messer and Pastor Henry "Skip" McClain officiating. A celebration of life is being planned for a future date for friends and family. Online condolences may be submitted to www.honoringmemories.com or on Facebook at Luginbuel Funeral Home.