Hershel Self

Hershel Self, 71, longtime Bowlegs resident died, Monday, February 18, 2013 in Seminole, Oklahoma. Hershel was born James Hershel Self on February 1, 1942 in Paden, Oklahoma to Leonard Clifford and Jane Ellen (Myers) Self. Hershel grew up in the Bowlegs and Seminole area.  He attended and graduated from Bowlegs Public Schools. While in school he served as his class president and received academic honors. He started his career as a rancher at the early age of 16 and spent his life ranching. Later he became a drilling superintendent in the Seminole oilfields, working with Sloan Drilling Company of Seminole, and later with Ackerman Drilling Company of Konawa, Oklahoma. Hershel was very active in the Bowlegs community; he served on the Bowlegs School Board, he loved and attended all sporting activities of Bowlegs Schools and was active in the Bowlegs Alumni Association. He loved the outdoors, his family and friends, land, riding horses and raising racehorses. His first love of ranching led him to receive the Seminole Cattleman of the year award in 2005 from the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association of which he was a member. Hershel married Billie Dean (Smith) on June 12, 1991 in Ada, Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife, Billie Self of the home; two sons, Jimmy Self of Bowlegs, Oklahoma and Randy Self of Collinsville, Oklahoma; two daughters, Natalie O’Dell of Konawa, Oklahoma and Paula Walraven of Alvarado, Texas; one step son, Seth Ramsey of Bethel, Oklahoma and a step-daughter Shelly Cascavilla of Lamar, Oklahoma. He is also survived by one brother, Jerry Self of Bowlegs, Oklahoma; two sisters, Glenda Irene Bryant of Sasakwa, Oklahoma and Kellean Kerr of Norman, Oklahoma; 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. His parents and three brothers, Larry Self, Clifford Self and Leonard Clifton Self preceded him in death. Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 22, 2013 at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma with Rev. Carl Whitfield officiating. Burial will take place at Little Cemetery. The family will receive friends and family at a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 21, 2013. Casket bearers will be Jep Daniel, Jack Daniel, Lance King, Kenny King, Alan Ackerman, and Brandon Ramsey. Honorary Bearers will be Kenneth King, Elza Rodgers, Zane Smith, Jim Chadick, Bob Northcott, Don McKee, Billy Ray Self and Kenneth Self. Swearingen Funeral Home of Seminole, Oklahoma is in charge of arrangements. Funeral Information: February 22, 2013, 1:00 PM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips, Seminole, OK 74868