Horace Paslay

Horace D. Paslay passed away on July 7, 2026, at the age of 91. He was born on October 7, 1934, in Searcy, AR to Alvie B. Paslay and Evie Mae (Sanders) Paslay. Horace was raised most of his childhood in Barnsdall, OK and graduated from Barnsdall High School in 1953. He was a gifted athlete and made it to state as a wrestler. On July 3, 1954, he married Shirley Nickels and they moved to Skiatook to begin their family. Horace was a hard worker and raised his family with that work ethic. But he also saw the importance of raising his family in church and served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon in the Immanuel Baptist Church in Skiatook.

Horace grew up with his four sisters and two brothers in a family that had to work just to get by. The family raised animals and his dad was a house mover. After high school, he went to work for Unit Rig & Equipment Co. in Tulsa and worked there for 25 years. Horace then decided to go into business for himself and joined his brother and nephew in oil related businesses. Some of those businesses were D & P Tank Service, Hot Oil Services and Boss Hogg Well Service. He tried his hand in the convenient store business and along with family members started Mister Bass. After owning and operating it for years, he sold out and semi-retired over to the Oologah-Talaha area with his wife, Mary Paslay.

Horace is preceded in death by his parents, Alvie Paslay and Evie Paslay; sisters, Lorene Dunman, Pauline Watson, and Arlene George; one brother, Ray Paslay; and great-granddaughter, Hannah Paslay.

Horace is survived by his wife of the home, Mary Paslay; his four children, Homer Paslay of Skiatook, Kevin Paslay and wife, Laura of Skiatook, Jim Paslay and wife, Lorie of Grove, Denise Miller and husband, David of Tulsa, and stepdaughter, Christina Groom. He is also survived by his brother, Bobby Paslay of Fairfax; and one sister, Mary Lou Brashear of Bartlesville. He is further survived by grandchildren, Clayton Paslay and wife Jessika, Curtis Paslay and wife, Dwan, Jessica Michalec and husband, Mickey, Desiree Mackey and husband, John, Kamie Brookshire and husband, Toby, Danielle Miller and husband, Brian, Erin Paslay, Emily McCurtain and husband, Kreg, Courtney Paslay, Maddie Alexander and husband, DeJuan, Peyton Miller, Jake Miller and wife, and Jordan Miller. He is also survived by 21 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Horace had many cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends who loved and respected him dearly.

Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church in Skiatook on Friday, July 10, 2026, with Jim Paslay and Clayton Paslay officiating. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home in Sperry, OK.