Olin Rising
Olin Rising, also known as Dad, Grampa, Grampy and Papa Oilwell, passed away peacefully at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, following a brief and unexpected hospitalization.
He was born in a rural farmhouse three miles northeast of Cashion to Walter Leroy Rising and Anna Emily (Lightle) Rising on Oct. 26, 1926, the youngest of five children.
He was preceded in death by both parents; brothers Leonard of Wichita, Kan., and Keith of Lamar, Colo.; sisters Ruth Craine of Dallas, Texas, and Erma Golden of Santa Paula, Calif.; and granddaughter Rebecca Rising of Edmond.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Naomi (Lawson) Rising; children Anita Robinson of Cashion, Dennis Rising and wife Tanya of Cashion and David Rising and wife Deborah of Cashion. Also, grandchildren Justin Baker; Kelley Farrar and husband Wade; Jamie Bailey and husband Ben; Bradley, Joshua and Aurica Rising; great-grandchildren Drew and Ryan Baker, Nolin and Lawson Farrar and Addison and Caleb Bailey. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
He attended Cashion Schools and later Guthrie High School, where he graduated in 1944.
Following his father’s terminal illness, he took over the family farm operations near Cashion and Watonga at the young age of 16.
This began a lifelong passion for locating and improving farm and ranch lands, as he went on to own and improve properties in west Texas, southeast Kansas, eastern Colorado, central South Dakota and multiple locales across Oklahoma including near Coyle, Watonga, Thomas, Hugo, Crescent and Garber.
He was drafted into the Army in 1953 where he was a mechanic and driving instructor at Ft. Chaffee, Ark.
While in uniform, he married Naomi, his sweetheart of 10 years.
Together they resumed full-time farming following his honorary discharge from the service and went on to create and raise their family on the Cashion farm.
He and his brothers founded Rising Oil Company and later Midwest Enterprises in the 1970’s and set out in search of oil and gas.
Their search ultimately took them to Louisiana, Kansas, Colorado and numerous locations across Oklahoma.
We awoke to a different world with diminished light after dad passed away.
At 18 days short of 95 years of age, he lived a full and great life, but it somehow feels like he’s gone too soon.
For anyone who knew him, the most lasting memories of him will likely be his kindness and his big smile - both coming directly from his heart.
He was the wisest and hardest-working person we’ve ever known.
For years he chased down cattle — decades after both his knees should have been replaced – farmed in multiple states at the same time, went to bed following the 10 o’clock news and was up before the 4 a.m. farm report — and he did it daily.
To say that he was driven would be a massive understatement.
Throughout his decades of farming and oil explora tion which took him from Texas to South Dakota, it’s doubtful that one could find anyone who he dealt with - either personal or business - who would say he wasn’t a man of his word, honest and fair, always ready to help a neighbor, friend or stranger.
He was always there in support whenever it was needed, whether it was deserved or not.
It was difficult to witness his physical decline over the past few years, but his spirit never changed - always looking to tomorrow and seeing reason to smile.
He loved his family and although there were times when his delivery was less than delicate, we always knew and never doubted that fact.
We’ll all miss him dearly, but none more than mom, his sweetheart of 77 years.
We love you dad and will miss you dearly.
A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at First Baptist Church in Cashion with Pastor Greg Davis officiating.
Interment will follow at Cashion Cemetery.
Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie.
Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.smithgallo.com.