PAUL LANDRITH
ADA-Services for Paul Olen Landrith, 92, of Ada, will be held at Asbury Methodist Church on Wednesday, April 25, at 2 p.m. Rev. Temple Diehl is officiating. Burial follows at Rosedale Cemetery. The family will receive family and friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Criswell Funeral Home.

Mr. Landrith died on April 21, 2012, at his home. He was known to many as Coach, Slim, Uncle Paul, Gramps, and Dad. Paul was born on April 28, 1919, to E.T. Landrith and Atha "Kitt" Blackburn Landrith in rural Coal County. He moved to Pontotoc County as an infant.

Paul married Charlotte Elaine Sneed in Ada on July 15, 1942. She predeceased him on June 18, 2011. Coach was the most successful basketball coach Ada High School produced. His basketball foundation was laid at Byng where he played and graduated. Paul later went on to play for Mickey McBride at East Central University.

After graduating from ECU, Paul enlisted in the Army Air Corp and spent three years in active duty during WWII. Upon his return, he became a teacher and coach at Glenwood Grade School and later at Ada Junior High School. He received his Master's Degree from the University of Oklahoma.

In 1949, Paul became the head basketball coach at Ada High School and finished in 1962 with an overall record of 232-99. His teams won either regional or conference titles a total of 11 times and appeared in the state tournament seven times. Paul's last year to coach was in 1962. He finished the season going 26-2 and winning the State Championship. In 1954, he began the Ada Cougar Golf Team. Paul was chosen as Oklahoma Coach of the Year in 1962. He was selected for Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Coaches All-Star Hall of Fame, and East Central University's Hall of Fame.

After coaching, he successfully transitioned into school administration. During this period, he also served his community as Mayor of Ada and a city councilman for many years. He retired in 1985 after being an Ada Cougar for 37 years and remained an avid fisherman and golfer.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Paula Elaine Roberts and her husband Larry, his parents, great grandchildren Will and Joy Roberts, brothers Herman Landrith and Leon "Skeeter" Landrith, and sisters Thelma Roberts, Stella Johns and Alma Sales.

Survivors include a son, Tom Landrith, grandchildren Ryan Roberts and his wife Kathy, Allyson Carson and her husband Steve, Matt Landrith and his wife Hollie, Meredith Morris and her husband Britt, Douglas Kelley, Amanda Lopez and her husband Sergio, daughters-in-law Gail Landrith and Donna Landrith, 9 great grandchildren, Sam, Nick, and Emmy Roberts, Jack and Ava Morris, Blaine and Maddie Carson, Elizabeth and Jacqueline Landrith. Sister Omega Johnson and her husband Doyle, Ernestine Eubank, sisters-in-law Nova Landrith and Wanda Landrith, and a host of nieces and nephews.

The Family wishes to thank his special caregivers Georgia Graham, Ramona Branch, Vickie Frantz, Sherry Baird, Joyce Floyd and Carolyn Perez.

Bearers are Bobby Johns, Randy Johns, Ronny Johns, Bruce Johnson, Mark Landrith, Dave Roberts and Steve Blackburn. Honorary bearers are Jack Jones, Bud Blackburn, H.A. Blackburn, all of Paul's former players and coaches, and Georgia Graham, Ramona Branch, Vickie Frantz, Sherry Baird, Joyce Floyd and Carolyn Perez.

The family wishes that all memorials be made to the Asbury Methodist Church, PO Box 2342, Ada, OK 74820 or to the Ada City School Foundation, PO Box 1363, Ada, OK 74821.
Obituaries may be viewed and online condolences sent to criswellfh.com.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada