Tragedy struck Okarche Public Schools again this week.

The district, community and beyond were left to mourn the sudden passing of one of its most successful and beloved teachers, Lyndal Westmoreland.

The man largely responsible for bringing seven state championships to Okarche during his three-plus decades of service died Monday evening of an apparent heart attack while working out in El Reno.

Okarche Superintendent Josh Sumrall announced the news Monday evening on social media.

“It is with heavy hearts that we have learned that Mr. Lyndal Westmoreland…passed away this evening,” the post read, in part. “Please keep our Okarche school family in your prayers as we mourn this loss.”

Westmoreland began teaching at Okarche in 1989.

He’s had a variety of teaching roles, most recently senior English, but was more widely recognized as the district’s director of debate and speech and drama activities since being hired.

His successes have been numerous, including speech and debate state championships at Okarche in 2001 and 2002 as well as one-act play state championships in 1990, 2004, 2010, 2016 and 2018.

“Mr. Westmoreland spent 34 years as a teacher at Okarche High School. His impact on students throughout the years as the speech and drama teacher and one-act play teacher has been tremendous,” Sumrall told the Times & Free Press.

“We have received several comments, calls and messages in the last 24 hours, from his past students, on the impact he had on them.”

A 1976 graduate of Marietta High School, Westmoreland earned a bachelor’s degree in speech education and a minor in English education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

He then earned master’s of science from East Texas State University in 1982 while also studying theatre and speech.

Before coming to Okarche, Westmoreland taught seven years at Felt.

Westmoreland was formerly a national board certifi ed teacher and in 2012 was one of 12 finalists for State Teacher of the Year.

He and his wife, Jerri, resided in El Reno.

“Okarche Schools and the Okarche community appreciate the commitment and dedication that Mr. Westmoreland gave to us,” Sumrall said.

“We, as a school, are mourning the loss, but are also celebrating the success and impact on students that Mr. Westmoreland brought to Okarche Public Schools.”

The school made available to students and staff on Tuesday a number of pastors, preachers, clergy and counselors.

Funeral service arrangements had not been announced at press time.