Wayne K. Brashears

Wayne Keith 'Pete' Brashears left this world he loved August 29, 2007, warmed by a quilt his mother had made and surrounded by loved ones, to be reunited in heaven with his father and mother, Marvin and Bertha Brashears, his brother Donald Paul Brashears, and his sister Marvella Loyd. He left behind with love and memories his wife of fifteen years, Rita Phipps Brashears, of Davenport, his children Beverly Sanders, Becky Messec and husband Gary, Paul Brashears and stepson Lance Pickens, all of Pauls Valley and stepson Chad Pickens of Dallas. He is also survived by the grandchildren he loved so dearly, Brandon and Lisa Laxton, Lindsey Laxton, Tyler and Angela Messec, Kaylee Messec, Clint Shields, Katrina and Brendon Pickens and his great grandchildren who gave him great joy, Kaitlyn and Ethan Laxton. Also surviving are nieces, La Vonda Good, Jackie Mayberry, Dawna Sherrell, Amber Brashears and their families. Wayne was born, May 2, 1932, and raised in Tupelo, Oklahoma, where he earned the nickname Pistol Pete for his ability to throw a baseball out from behind home plate faster than a speeding bullet. After high school and college he continued to play American Legion ball and played for a semi-pro team in California. Stories of his baseball days are still legendary, with many of them having been told by Pete himself. Pete gave up both college and baseball, turning down $400 a month to play pro ball for Sooner State. He went to ''work as an oilfield roustabout. He went on to become plant superintendent working 36 years for the same company. He lived his adult life in Lincoln County, in Prague, Stroud and Davenport, with a brief stint of retirement living on the golf course in Falconhead. Pete loved a good time and good music. At a 4th of July family BBQ, with Willie Nelson playing in the background, he expressed a wish to see Willie one more time. He got that wish Aug. 17 when he attended the Willie, Ray Price and Merle Haggard concert at the OKC zoo. Pete was known far and wide for his orneriness. He was also known for his helpfulness. He was a master storyteller. He was the subject of many stories told by other people. He was not afraid to tell it like it is. He was not opposed to telling it like it wasn''t. He loved deeply. He disliked loudly. He was a tough guy. He cried when his bull Burdine had to be put down. He loved his dog Bailey like a child. As Kris Kristofferson might have said had he known him, 'Pete Brashears was a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction taking the right direction on his final journey home.' He''s gone, but the stories and the laughter will live on. Services will be Tuesday at 2:00 pm at the First Christian Church, Davenport, with Brother Tony Randall officating In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oklahoma Cancer Society in Wayne''s memory at 6525 N. Meridian Suite 110, OKC, OK, 73116.