Hoyt Dean Hyden's Obituary
Hoyt Dean Hyden, 79, peacefully departed this life on May 19, 2016. He was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and a master craftsman. Born to Geraldine and Herbert Hyden on September 28, 1936 in Ada, Oklahoma, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and brothers Billie Frank and Glen. He leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Mary Hyden; daughter Laura and her husband Nagi Achhireddy; son Patrick and his wife Kathy; and son Preston and his wife Beth. Other survivors include deeply beloved grandchildren Rani Achhireddy and her husband Matt Ackerman, Thomas Achhireddy, Brendan Chaz Nelson, Warren Hyden, Ian Hyden, Ely Hyden, and his nephew Glen Hyden.After graduating from high school, Hoyt enlisted in the Navy before enrolling in college. He graduated from East Central State University in 1961 with a bachelor’s of science and later earned a master’s of education in 1963. Hoyt taught in Missouri and Oklahoma for 26 years before retiring in 1987.Hoyt spent his post-retirement years in continued service to others. He first volunteered with Meals on Wheels and then worked with Baptist Disaster Relief. He was briefly a camp counselor, until a child threw a tuna fish sandwich in his bed and he realized his talents could be better utilized elsewhere. He and his wife Mary assisted in the cleanup and recovery efforts after major flooding, crippling ice storms, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He also helped many Russian immigrant families resettle and adapt to the US. Hoyt and Mary developed innumerable lasting friendships from this work. Hoyt’s compassion knew no national boundaries as he aided in building houses, a kindergarten, and a church in Progreso, Mexico.But his life was not all work; he loved camping, traveling, gardening, and mariachi music. One of his little pleasures was traveling in south Texas and randomly discovering Spanish music stations on the radio. With his wife and often children and grandchildren, he managed to visit every state except North Dakota.For 44 years, Hoyt was a faithful member of Arrow Heights Baptist Church. He and Mary handled the upkeep for the church’s mission house, working on it as if it were their own. His mark has been left on the church with handmade cabinets, bookshelves, a ministry center, and other beautiful woodworks. His generosity is evident by the fact that almost everyone who has been a part of Hoyt’s life owns something he meticulously handcrafted.A memorial service will be held Friday, May 27 at 2 PM at Arrow Heights Baptist Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Memorials may be made to Arrow Heights Organ Transplant Fund or Arms Around BA.
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