Edward Leon "Eddie" Laverty

Edward Leon “Eddie” Laverty lived the life of a true Oklahoma cowboy, raising cattle and horses, competing in rodeos, teaching young people, helping his neighbors, and working as many jobs as necessary to care for his family. Born to Albert and Elsie Cloe (Cox) Laverty on August 27, 1944, in Shattuck, Oklahoma, Eddie died on August 28, 2026 in Oklahoma City, one day after celebrating his 82nd birthday.

One of eight children raised on the Laverty Ranch near Gate, Eddie grew up cowboying alongside his brothers and sisters. Ranch life taught him early how to work hard, depend on family, and lend a hand without being asked. These lessons guided him throughout his life.

He attended and graduated from Laverne High School in 1962, where he was a member of FFA and the basketball team. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Following his military service, he enrolled at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, where he earned many belt buckles as a bulldogger and roper as he competed in rodeos at OSU and across the country.

During his senior year at OSU, Eddie asked Linda Krshka, a young woman from his speech class, on a date. When he arrived to pick her up, he had deliberately left a dirty feed bucket on the passenger seat of his truck as a test, apparently, of her toughness. Linda promptly tossed it into the truck bed and climbed in. Eddie decided he had better marry that country girl as quickly as possible.

Having graduated from OSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education and Animal Science, he became an Ag Ed teacher at Fargo High School in Fargo, Oklahoma. He always remembered his students fondly and enjoyed learning about their successes as the years passed.

Eddie and Linda were married at the First Christian Church in Yukon. They promptly moved to Laverne, where she was a Home Economics teacher at Gate and he operated a feed store. They later moved to Buffalo. While living there, they welcomed their son, Matt, and daughter, Cara, into the world. With a wife and two children to support, Eddie worked additional jobs at the feedlot and for local ranchers to help make ends meet. In addition, he raised his own cattle and horses. He continued to follow his passion and participated in rodeos with his favorite horse, Clyde.

The family of four moved to Sitka, Kansas, where Eddie transferred employment as the Clark County Extension Agriculture Agent and Extension Director.

In 1980, they moved to Linda’s hometown of Yukon, where Eddie gained employment as a Land Management Technician for the State of Oklahoma’s Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO). He also graduated from the Missouri Auction School, whereupon he started his own auction and real estate company, Laverty Auction Company. Over the years, he auctioned many estates, as well as livestock, crops, and land for the CLO.

All the while, Eddie farmed and ranched the self-named Laverty Ranch north of Yukon, baling hay, breeding registered Angus cattle and quarter horses, and training bird dogs. He ensured both of his children understood the meaning of hard work by teaching them to build fence, ride horses, haul hay, work and feed cattle, garden, weld, and drive tractors on the family ranch. He also supported them in their 4-H and FFA beef, sheep, and swine projects by teaching them to care for their animals.

For all his toughness, Eddie had a tender heart for people who needed help. He quietly slipped cash to friends and strangers, helped neighbors with their chores, and expected neither recognition nor repayment. He could talk to just about anyone and, in fact, his fifth-grade report card prepared by Laverne Public Schools teacher Gladys Hendrick stated that he “was inclined to mischief” and “whispers too much.” Eddie treasured mornings spent drinking coffee and using that gift of gab to visit with his buddies at the local café. He also loved teaching children and was known to volunteer at elementary schools across the metro, showing students how a cowboy ropes or an auctioneer calls a sale. In his later years, he taught himself how to make spurs, which he proudly gifted to many family members.

Whether he greeted someone with an enthusiastic “Well, hello!” or a familiar “Howdy” and a grin, Eddie made people feel welcome. He was rarely seen without his starched Wrangler jeans, brown leather cowboy boots, and straw cowboy hat, and he could whistle nearly any tune at the drop of a hat.

As much as Eddie loved ranching and rodeo, he had an especially soft spot for his grandchildren. He bought them a pony named Oreo and used the pony to teach them how to ride, passing along his love of horses to another generation. He also loved watching Looney Tunes and The Three Stooges with them. When he was relaxing at home, an Andy Griffith or Hee Haw rerun or RFD TV was always a favorite.

Retirement brought Eddie back to the rodeo arena. He trained and traded horses and roped at local roundups with friends Ted Lee and Jeep Morris and his nephew Blake Matlock. For his 62nd birthday, Linda paid his entry fees for the U.S. Team Roping Championship, half joking that he could buy her a new diamond ring with his winnings. Paired by potluck draw with Read Cates of Beaver, Eddie and his partner won the entire event. True to his word, he bought his beloved wife the ring.

Eddie will be remembered for his work worn hands, his cheerful “Howdy,” his gift for conversation, his quiet generosity, and the steadfast way he cared for his family. He taught by example: work hard, help your neighbor, keep your word, and never pass up the chance to tell a good story or whistle a good tune.

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Margie (Laverty) Baldwin; brother-in-law, Clayton McLaurine; and his nephew, James Laverty. He is survived by his wife, Linda, of the home; son Matt Laverty and wife Carey of Yukon; daughter Cara (Laverty) Pattison and husband Patrick of Yukon; and grandchildren Lydia and Gavin Laverty, Emily and Conner Pattison, and Sadie Mae Laverty.

Additionally, he is survived by his siblings: brother Alvie Laverty and wife Willa of Gate; brother Jerald Laverty of Gate; brother Russell Laverty and wife Nancy of Jones; brother Curtis Laverty and wife Deanna of Slapout; sister Juanell McLaurine of Temple, Texas; brother Carl Laverty and wife Cheryl of Laverne; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the Yanda & Son Funeral Home Chapel in Yukon, with interment following at Frisco Cemetery in Yukon.

Pallbearers will include Conner Pattison, Gavin Laverty, Blake Matlock, Sheldon Laverty, Shannon Laverty, and Shaddon Laverty. Honorary pallbearers are his coffee buddies: Ted Lee, Froman Cowan, Stanley Burris, Bill Harris, Keith McAlister, Dave Trammel, and Kevin Snyder.

For those wishing to donate in his name, the family recommends Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.