Byron Robertson Hoon Jr

Byron Robertson Hoon Jr. died peacefully May 23, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Byron, son of Byron Robertson Hoon Sr.and Margaret Emma Griffith Hoon, was born January 11, 1918 in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania.  After graduating from high school in Point Marion, Pennsylvania, he went on to get a degree in Industrial Arts Education from California State Teachers College in California, Pennsylvania, where he was president of the senior class, a member of  Phi Sigma Pi, honorary fraternity, and participated in intramural sports. It was during a college ping pong competition that he met his future wife, Frances Ann Plava.

After a short teaching career in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, Byron enlisted and was accepted into the Flying Cadets Program and went on to train at Randolph Air Base, the West Point of the Army Air Corps in San Antonio, TX. He spent the war years instructing fighter and bomber pilots in advanced instrument flying.

Byron and Frances welcomed the birth of daughter, Connie, while in San Antonio, Texas, and in 1945 moved back to Pennsylvania and then on to Baltimore, Maryland, where he started his business career as an engineer draftsman for Lockheed.  However, the warmer Texas weather and blue skies drew the family back to Texas, where daughter, Elaine was born.

Byron started with Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. (PPG Industries) in San Antonio and was soon promoted to glass manager. He continued in this position as he and family moved to El Paso, Texas.  He later accepted the promotion of branch manager of PPG in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Byron retired from PPG with 32 years of service in 1982, but retirement was not in his future.

In 1983 he partnered with two other friends to develop the plans and construction of the Crystal Bridge Conservatory in Myriad Gardens.  Starting with the architect’s watercolor sketch and dimensions, he hand drafted the working drawings to bring the project to reality.

Byron was an active member of Northwest Presbyterian, later Church of the Savior in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he served as an Elder, along with his wife, Geanita Spain, whom he married in 1970, after the passing of his wife, Frances.

Byron and Geanita enjoyed many years together traveling to their lake home near Talequah, gardening, and tending the backyard fish pond, which Byron designed and built.  The couple later transitioned to Concordia Lifecare Community where they lived together until Geanita’s passing in 2010.

Concordia opened another door to a full life for Byron.  He served as President of the Residents Board, enjoyed card playing and Bingo, and also managed to teach watercolor classes.

Byron was a gentleman in the truest sense, but also a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, and loyal friend.

Byron is preceded in death by his fraternal grandparents, Dr. Clarke David Hoon and Nan Fleming Thompson Hoon, who lovingly raised him, his parents, and wives, Frances of 25 years, and Geanita of 40 years.

He is survived by his daughters, Connie Gardner (Buck), and Elaine Hosage of Austin,Texas, stepsons, Joe Spain and Steve Spain (Patti) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, granddaughter, Kara Morrison (Phillip), Austin, grandson, Byron Rece Sutherlin (Jenny), and great grandsons, Gavin and Jackson, Flower Mound, Texas, and special friend, Shirley Driskill, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

A memorial service will be held on Friday June 15, 2018 at 2:00Pm at Concordia Life care Community 7707 W Britton Rd .  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.