Lewis L. "Babe" Eubanks

Published in The Oklahoman from 7/1/2008 - 7/2/2008.

Lewis L. ''Babe" Eubanks died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Midwest City, Oklahoma, on June 28, 2008. Babe was born on March 14, 1922, in Mena, Arkansas, to Lewis Lemuel Eubanks and Mae (Williams) Eubanks, the second of two children.

After living for several years in St. Louis where Babe acquired his life-long love for the St. Louis Cardinals, Babe's family moved to Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.

He graduated from Pauls Valley High School in 1941 where he was a three sport, four year letterman in football, wrestling and baseball. He attended the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, on a wrestling scholarship.

Babe volunteered and served honorably in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. As a First Lieutenant in the 389th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force, he flew on 25 missions over Europe. After the war, he returned to Oklahoma and married high school classmate, Carol Foss.

He graduated from the University of Oklahoma where he played short stop for the OU baseball team. He maintained strong ties with OU throughout his life. Babe's professional career began in Freeport, Texas, where he taught history and coached for two years, during which time twin daughters, Carolyn and Meredith were born. He continued his career at Central High School in Oklahoma City where he was named Coach of the Year in 1954. In 1955 he began a long association with the Mid-Del School System.

Shortly thereafter, his youngest daughter, Nancy, was born. During this time he obtained Masters and Doctorate degrees in education. He served as assistant principal at Midwest City High School, principal at Carl Albert High School, director of Secondary Instruction, and then as Superintendent of the Mid-Del School System until his retirement in 1987.

During his career he coached and mentored hundreds of young men and women, officiated high school and college football and basketball games, and was Director of Officials for the Missouri Valley conference. He particularly enjoyed officiating the OU Varsity-Alumni football games. He was proud of his election to the Oklahoma Officials Hall of Fame.

He was a long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, teaching Sunday school and serving as a church deacon. The void Babe leaves will be filled by the lasting influence he fostered. He left this world a better place than he found it. His nature was characterized by humility and compassion, and his life was spent in selfless service to others. This is the enduring gift that Babe left to all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Carol Foss Eubanks, his parents and his brother, W.J. ''Dub'' Eubanks. He is survived by his daughters, Carolyn Jane Shellman of San Marcos, Texas Meredith Anne Urice and husband Tom of Norman, Oklahoma Nancy Foss Priddy and husband Dave of Edmond, Oklahoma and five grandchildren: Travis Colin Land and wife Megan of Austin, Texas Taylor Anne Aldridge and husband Jake of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Alison Blythe Shellman of San Marcos, Texas and Corbin Elizabeth Priddy and Carson Katherine Priddy of Edmond, Oklahoma.

Services will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. at West minster Presbyterian Church, 4400 North Shartel, Oklahoma City, with interment following at Arlington Cemetery. Funeral services are being provided by Advantage in Midwest City, Oklahoma.