Leslie Richard Lookingbill

Leslie Richard Lookingbill, 78, former longtime Seminole resident, now of Fairland, Oklahoma, died Sunday, November 12, 2017 in Joplin, Missouri. Leslie was born on February 6, 1939 in Turley, Oklahoma, near Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Lyle L. Lookingbill and Jessie Lee (Haas) Lookingbill. Leslie grew up in northeast Oklahoma and later attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M University where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Leslie served his country for 20 years in the United States Navy and retired at the rank of E-7, Chief Petty Officer. Leslie had a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy, serving in Vietnam during one of the toughest times to serve in the military.  As a sailor he was a leader and exemplified leadership early on in his naval career,  he led his men well. During the Vietnam War, he served in several amphibious landing operations and was a River Patrol Boat  (Swift Boat) Captain. He also took part in Operation 'Frequent Wind' in 1976 and helped with the evacuation of Saigon. He was classified as a ship fitter and kept that rate, he was the last rated "ship fitter" in the U.S. Navy when they did away with that rate. He was past post commander of the American Legion Post 204 in Seminole. After his service to his country, he entered law enforcement and continued to serve his country and fellow man as a deputy sheriff for Seminole County Sheriff’s office from 1980 to 1990, after his retirement there, he became the assistant gaming commissioner for the Citizen Pottawatomi Tribe in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Leslie, was known as “Bill” to his family and friends was a family man who had a deep personal relationship with God. He was a kind person, encouraged friends and family to serve callings greater than themselves. He lived a life of service to God, his country, his family  and his community. He always referred to himself as a “ Peace Officer” and would just as soon take someone home as to jail for minor offenses. He loved fishing, driving through the countryside to look at the scenery, being with his family,  raising beagles for hunting rabbits. He was one of the founding members of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma and currently a member of the 2 Rivers Baptist Church in Fairland, Oklahoma. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge in Seminole. Leslie was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Ann (Peterson) Lookingbill, the mother of his children. He is survived by his wife, Betty Lookingbill of the home in Fairland, Oklahoma, 2 sons Lyle Lookingbill of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Loren Lookingbill and his wife Brandi of Mart, Texas, one daughter Leona Booth and her husband Wade, by his children by marriage, Kimberly Kay Slaughter of Grove, Oklahoma, Tonya Sue Phillips and her husband Mark of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, grandchildren Kinna Card, Kylie Mareth and her husband Ivan, Lane Phillips and great grandchildren Ivey Grace, Lilien and Aspen.  of Tulsa, Oklahoma, grandchildren; Alexa and Austin Booth of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Justin Lookingbill, Kristen Lookingbill and Tanner Lookingbill all of Mart, Texas, and one great granddaughter, Aryah Gresham of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother Robert Lee Lookingbill and a grandchild, Anna Marie Lookingbill, Loren’s daughter. Memorial services will be held at 9:00 A.M., Friday, November 17, 2017 at the 2 Rivers Baptist Church at Fairland, Oklahoma with Chris Mammedaty officiating and a Graveside Service will be held at 3:00 P.M., Friday, at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, east of Seminole on highway 270, with Full Military Honors presented by the United States Navy. Troy Selsor will officiate the graveside service. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.       Funeral Information: November 17, 2017, 3:00 PM Memorial Service held at 9:00 A.M., Friday at the 2 Rivers Baptist Church in Fairland, Okla. and a 3:00 P.M., Graveside Service at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, in Seminole, Ok. located at Seminole, Seminole, OK 74868