Russel Benjamin Hayman

Russell Hayman, 79, of Barnsdall, OK, passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 12:43 am surrounded by family. Russell was a beloved family member who lived a full life and touched the hearts of everyone he met. He will be deeply missed but always remembered for his love and laughter. Russell grew up in Osage County where he graduated from Barnsdall High School in 1963. After graduation, he went on to pursue his life's endeavors. In his early adult years, Russell lived his life- started a family, discovered his talent as a woodcarver, and started working at Bama Companies (Bama Pie) in Tulsa, OK. He worked there until he was transferred to the Bama Frozen Dough plant where he met his current wife Rosie (of Tulsa, OK) on the production line. Over time, their friendship blossomed into something greater. After dating for a few years, they decided to elope in an outdoor ceremony in the Ozarks of Arkansas on November 18, 2005. Since then, Russell and Rosie have enjoyed each other's companionship and have been happily married for 18 years. One thing Rosie will miss about him is waking up every morning and enjoying a cup of coffee (his with extra sugar) while chatting on the porch together. Russell was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He loved spending time with his family and friends, telling stories, and making people laugh. Emphasis on making people laugh part... If you knew Russell, you knew him for his humor. He was always cracking jokes and making people smile. Whether it be a simple knock-knock joke or an elaborate yet literal joke that made you think first then laugh about it when you finally got the punchline. Our favorite ones we will always remember from him are: Joke #1 Him: "Guess what, guess who I saw today!" Us: "Who" (*Leaving us guessing, shouting out answers*) Him: "Everybody I looked at." *Laugh out loud* Joke #2 *Us driving by a cemetery* Him: "Do you know why they built a fence around that cemetery right there?" Us: (*Really looking around and guessing answers*) Him: "Because people were dying to get in." *Laugh out loud* Russell worked for Bama for several years and won numerous awards during his time of employment until his retirement in 2008. After retiring, he had many hobbies and interests that kept him busy. He loved to travel with his wife, exploring new places, trying restaurants and even enjoyed some casino-hopping from time to time. Some of his favorite destinations were traveling to visit his sister, road-tripping to Montana and California and visiting Yellowstone National Park. They loved adventure and being outside. He also enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and setting up as a vendor at local arts & crafts fairs and festivals showcasing and selling his woodcarving masterpieces. Most of all, Russell loved being around family and attending family functions and celebrations such as holidays, births, birthdays, weddings, and graduations. He had a way of making everyone feel special and loved. This love for people extended out to the community as he enjoyed being involved with the Lions Club, Woodcarving Association, and volunteering at the Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve for events. In addition to this, he always looked forward to the holiday season because he dressed up as a well-known Jolly character (Santa Claus) going around visiting churches and nursing homes - passing out presents, taking pictures and spreading the holiday cheer. Another thing about Russell, he was a big OU Sooners fan. Every Saturday during football season, you could catch him rocking his game day attire and shouting or cheering at the TV when the game was on. If we were out and about (not at home) and the game was on? Oh, he would find a way to watch that game. He never wanted to miss the action of his team. Occasionally, he even liked to attend the OU spring games and other home games in Norman, OK when he could. He was always ecstatic about game day! We will miss him this season for sure. Russell not only enjoyed traveling and family time, but he had love for his hometown of Barnsdall, OK. Being born and raised here, he always talked about coming back and making a difference in his small town. Russell knew anybody and everybody in the big B as he would say. In his later years, he joined City Council to be a voice at the table and then eventually in 2017, he ran for office and was elected Mayor of Barnsdall. As a family, we would joke around with him and tell people we were going to the mayor's house or that we were eating dinner with a celebrity. He always smiled and played along with us. He knew we were all very proud of him and supported his leadership role in the community. For example, one lifelong dream he had was to put Barnsdall on the map with woodcarving artists. He felt that woodcarving artists ought to be recognized and celebrated for their hard work and raw talent. He wanted to open a business for woodcarvers to come display their work in a storefront as well as offer carving lessons to anybody who was interested in woodwork. One thing about him, he would sit outside and carve and chat all day if you let him. He loved woodcarving. Another big dream of his was to rebuild Barnsdall back into the booming town it once was before. He had a wonderful vision about bringing in more businesses to the community in hopes that it would stimulate Barnsdall's economy. He understood it was a big feat and that it would take a lot of work to see it through, but he never gave up hope. Unfortunately, the Lord Above had other plans for him and called him home sooner than we had anticipated, after living a full life and serving his purpose here on Earth. Russell was preceded in death by his mother, Laura Urich; father, Andrew Hugh Hayman; and great grandson, Tvse Watashe-Tsotaddle. Russell is survived by his wife of 18 years, Rosie; daughter, Robin Whorton and husband Steve; son, Steve Hayman and wife Rhonda; daughter Paula Peyketewa and husband Cecil Walker of Shawnee, OK; grandchildren, Courtney Peyketewa and husband Isaiah Jones, Gabriella Perez, Ben Watashe Jr, Eben Watashe of Shawnee, OK, Kalen Keller and wife Katie, Lurinda Keller, Morgan Gott and husband Isaiah, Kyle Hayman and wife Savannah, Nathan Hayman and wife Brandi; his great-grandchildren Maks Hicks and Carmen & Camille Jones; ; sisters, Estelle Hayes, Rhenae Dietrich, and Evelyn Grimes; sister-in-law Lydia Cloud of Tulsa, OK; many other relatives and friends who loved him dearly. A celebration of life service for Russell will be held on Friday, August 4th at 2:00 pm at the Barnsdall Assembly of God- 120 N. 3rd Barnsdall, OK 74002. The family requests that attendees wear casual attire and bring their favorite memories of Russell to share. Lunch will be served at 12:30 pm. All are welcome to attend to honor Russell's life & legacy. We will miss Russell dearly but will carry him in our hearts forever. He was a wonderful man who lived life to the fullest. Rest in peace Russell Hayman. We love you always! Your family.

Russel Benjamin Hayman

October 1, 1943 - August 1, 2023