Brother John Loy Westbrook's Obituary
Brother John Loy Westbrook, beloved Pastor, Husband, Father, and Friend to everyone he met, passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 90, August 31, 2016. Loy was born in Dierks, Arkansas February 27, 1926, to Olan and May Westbrook. His early life was spent in Arkansas before coming to Oklahoma, where Loy was known in Tulsa for his Barber Shop, Casa Loma, which he owned and ran for 40 years in the Maxwell Hotel on 11th Street. He was famous there not only for the wonderful massage that came with a $5 haircut, but for entertaining customers from all over the United States, including prominent business men, athletes, musicians, politicians, and local celebrities. He always had a story about his ‘regulars’, and often the Big Band leaders such as Artie Shaw, came to Tulsa only for one of Loy’s haircuts. Loy could not go out to eat in Tulsa without running into someone he knew from Casa Loma. What he loved most in life was to laugh, tell a story and joke, garden, and to listen, always listen, to another’s needs or woes and address those however he could through prayer, forgiveness, and acceptance. This man lived his life the way he spoke it, no pretenses, with humility and kindness for anyone he met. We can, none of us, recall a harsh word he ever spoke to another. Loy was also a Minister during this time, and he was Pastor at Plainview Baptist Church in Jay, Oklahoma for 3 years; Eastside Missionary Baptist Church in Tulsa for 26 years, and Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sapulpa, Oklahoma for 10 years. Loy was an amazing gardener, and the garden he kept at his home in Broken Arrow was a joy to behold to everyone who passed by daily. Often people would come to his door to ask about the variety of something he was growing or to ask advice about planting, and Loy would offer a paper sack and tell them to help themselves to his bounty, including a large fig tree that still bears delicious figs. He gardened day and night with his dog Birdie by his side, and he and his wife Mickey canned and continued to give vegetables away up until he could no longer stand up to do so. Loy is predeceased by his parents, first wife Muriel, sister’s Gladys McCaskill, Eunice Carpenter, brother Lloyd Westbrook, and his beloved pet Birdie. He is survived by his wife Mickey, daughter Pamela Pace, son Stephen Pace (Vanessa), grandsons Navy Lieutenant Adam Pace (Jennifer), David Pace (Lottie), and great-grandchildren Ava and Lea Pace and Cole and Conner Pace, numerous nieces and nephews, and his precious dog Winnie. Loy was a great joy, comfort, and support to his family and he gave us a great gift by allowing us to stand by him as he came nearer to joining his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are all blessed to have had him in our lives. A visitation will be held Friday, September 2, 2016 from 5:00PM till 8:00PM at Floral Haven Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Saturday, September 3, 2016 at 12:30PM at Floral Haven Funeral Home in the Chapel. A graveside service will follow the funeral services at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in the Garden of the Last Supper. Services have been entrusted to Floral Haven Funeral Home, Floral Shop, Crematory & Memorial Gardens, 6500 S 129th E Avenue; Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, 74012. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that a donation be made to the Lifeway Baptist Mission Association in Conway, Arkansas. To send the family your condolences please visit www.floralhaven.com.
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