Clyde A. Lorance

Clyde Lorance was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma on January 17, 1930. He was born to Joseph and Olga Lorance, their 10th child, first and only son. He left planet earth on June 17, 2025, age 95. He resided in Edmond, Okla with his wife, Janet. He was preceded in death by parents Joseph and Olga Lorance; son Brook Lorance; sister's Thelma West, Lois Lambert, Opha Richey, Nadine Smith, Nita Ratzlaff, Lavon Pitzer, Betty Jo Pigg, Arthena Humphreys, two infant sisters. Clyde was the last remaining original family member.

He leaves behind his wife Janet of 48 years; daughters, Tina Lorance, Joy Frame and husband Bob, and Carrie Randall and husband Shay; son, Weston Lorance; grandchildren: Rand Horowitz and wife Shayna, Perry David and fiancé Katie Crutchfield, Ainsley Chapman and husband Brian, Sophia Randall and fiance Jordan Conant; great-grandchildren: Oliver Horowitz, Frankie David,  and Elle and Miles Chapman, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, with his oldest niece Rowena Curren age 93.

He was raised on a farm in Hydro, Oklahoma. The family farmed 160 acres, with their major source of income being cotton, various other crops and livestock. Clyde attended Hydro Public Schools graduating in 1948. He played on the basketball team and developed a love of sports that continued throughout his life. Clyde attended 2 years of college at Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma. In 1951 he enlisted in the US Air Force, serving at several airbases and ending his service as Chaplain's Assistant in Korea in 1953. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1955. In 2016 he was selected to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington DC. It was an experience he truly enjoyed and felt very honored to attend. After his discharge he enrolled at Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education/Industrial Arts degree in 1957. He worked for Travelers Insurance for 32 years, retiring in 1989 as assistant manager.

Clyde had many interests, with a deep love for cars that led him to restore several—particularly British sports cars, which were his true passion. He and Janet traveled to numerous national car shows across the United States, where he received many awards for his restorations. In his 80s, they took their final road trip together: a 5,500-mile journey to the West Coast along Highway 1. He made the trip in his 2006 Crossfire convertible—with the top down the entire way, except in the snow—and he was still driving that car at the time of his passing, top down whenever possible.

Clyde also loved music, especially blues rock and jazz. He listened almost every night and was always discovering new artists. An avid reader of the local newspaper, he particularly enjoyed the sports section, following all Oklahoma college football and basketball teams, as well as the Oklahoma City Thunder.

He remained active in yard work and had just purchased seed and fertilizer to reseed the large backyard. His curiosity and interest in the world around him never faded. Above all, his favorite pastime was spending time with his family. He was deeply proud of each one and especially loved being with his great-grandchildren.

Clyde fully surrendered his life to Jesus Christ in April 1983. He loved good teaching from the pulpit and after a trip to Israel participated for 16 years in a local class studying God's Word and Jewish culture. He is greatly missed.

Celebration of life services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 8, 2025 at the Yanda & Son Chapel, Yukon, OK, with graveside services following at 1:00 p.m., at the Hydro Masonic Cemetery, Hydro, Oklahoma.