Lester Kindricks "L.K." Pitchford, Jr. was born on November 24, 1938, in Branch, Arkansas and went to heaven on April 25, 2023, in Poteau, Oklahoma. He was the sixth of eight children of Lester and Amy Blaylock Pitchford, whom he loved and adored.
LK attended school in Van Buren, Arkansas, through the 10th grade. He loved playing by the river and delivering newspapers to make his own spending money. The summer before his 11th grade year, his father received a job on the KCS Railroad and the family moved to Heavener, Oklahoma, where LK graduated high school in 1957. He met the love of his life, Norma Scantling, shortly after arriving. LK and Norma were married on June 1, 1958, at the First Baptist Church in Heavener and then made their home in the Oklahoma City/Moore area where he attended college, graduating from Oklahoma City University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, all while working full time to support his young family. LK worked for the US Postal Service, Social Security Administration, and ended his career at the Federal Aviation Administration, retiring as Director of Acquisitions. He was brilliant with contracts and negotiations, writing several books on this skill for the federal government and teaching many people along the way. After retiring, he and Norma moved to Poteau, Oklahoma, in 2001. LK loved to ride motorcycles, water ski, fish, take care of his yard, and spend time with his family.
LK was the best dad in the world to Sheri and Janie, who thought their daddy, hung the moon. He made sure they had everything they needed and quite a bit more. Then he became the best father-in-law to Dennis and Scott, who he treated as his own sons. The pride and joy of his heart were his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. Norma and his family were everything to him.
LK is survived by:

His wife of over 64 years, Norma

Two daughters:
Sheri and Dennis Carter, Poteau, Oklahoma
Janie and Scott Hairrell, Heavener, Oklahoma


Four grandchildren:
Amy and Brock Wilson
Jon and Halsey Hairrell
Sara Carter
Wade Kendricks Hairrell

Great-grandchildren:
Carter, Tucker, Brady, and Grant Kendricks Wilson
Lottie and Elisabeth Hairrell

Three sisters:
Wanda Richmond, Lufkin, Texas
Helen Deffenbaugh, Poteau, Oklahoma
Sue Finch, Hutto, Texas

One brother:
Bill Pitchford and Lynne, Heavener, Oklahoma

Four sisters-in-law:
Pat Pitchford, Bossier City, Louisana
Reba Chronister, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Lavell Scantling, Arkoma, Oklahoma
Rachel Scantling, Heavener, Oklahoma

Numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Bobby Pitchford and Earl Pitchford; one sister Bexta Pitchford; three brothers-in-law Carl Richmond, Ed Deffenbaugh, and J.C. Finch; one sister-in-law Patsy Pitchford; and two nephews Keith Pitchford and Kendall Lynn.
Pallbearers are Dennis Carter, Scott Hairrell, Jon Hairrell, Wade Hairrell, Brock Wilson, Mike Richmond, Gary Pitchford, and Jerry Pitchford.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Heavener First Baptist Church in Heavener, Oklahoma with Pastor Brock Hardin and Mr. Jon Hairrell officiating. Burial will follow in Heavener Memorial Park under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home in Heavener, Oklahoma.
Viewing will be Noon to 8:00 p.m., Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday.
The family will visit with friends on Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Visitation
Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel
Friday, April 28, 2023
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
710 U.S. HWY 270
Heavener, Oklahoma 74937
Funeral Service
Heavener First Baptist Church
Saturday, April 29, 2023
10:00 AM
200 West Ave. C
Heavener, OK 74937