Landreth Joseph Emswiler
March 06, 2025

Our husband, dad, son, friend, and fellow southwest Oklahoman, "Lane" passed away on February 6, 2025, in a tragic vehicle accident that has left many with heavy hearts, but the memory of his dynamic personality and infectious sense of humor will forever keep him alive in the stories we share. He was 36.
Family was Lane's inspiration. He was a devoted husband to his wife Beverly (Mier) Emswiler and a hands-on dad to their children, Carissa, Sophia, Elise, and Merrick. Most days, he could be seen playing with his three dogs or on his UTV with his family or perhaps working on his many projects he had developing on his 3-acre homestead. Beverly, his girls, and son Merrick admired Lane dearly and will cherish their memories of playing video games, watching anime, or embarking on family gaming adventures in Minecraft. They say laughter is the universal language, and Lane was fluent. He was the family ringleader of mischief and practical jokes, and from family gatherings to his children's various school events, his wit and playful banter made every event memorable.
One to never meet a stranger, Lane loved being outside tending his grill or maybe chatting on the porch with his dad about world events. He loved planning new untried meals for his family and would cook enough to not only fill his freezer but feed his entire family for a month. He was always willing to lend a hand where needed and help those in need. Lane's innate compassion and fair service to others is what equipped him to become the outstanding correctional officer he was at the Oklahoma State Reformatory.
On May 11, 2013, Lane married the love of his life, Beverly, in Hammond, Louisiana, and together they crafted a love story that inspired all who knew them. They built a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure while looking for the perfect small town to raise their children and call their forever home. The Emswiler family found that home in Mountain Park in September 2022. They took an undeveloped raw piece of land, put a brand new home on it, and then filled it to the brim with cherished memories, laughter, and love.
Born on August 4, 1988, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to David James Emswiler and Samantha (Higdon) Emswiler, Lane soon found himself all over the U.S. living the lifestyle of a "military brat." His bright smile and compassionate heart allowed him to make friends quickly at whatever new duty station he found himself in. Although graduating high school in Buffalo Gap, Texas, at Jim Ned High School, it was his time in Wichita Falls, Texas, that would later play a part in his destiny. His parents would often take him and his siblings to camp, fish, and hunt in the Wichita Mountains or Tom Steed Reservoir and it was during this time he discovered the area that he would one day come back to and settle with his own family.
In a similar turn of events, Lane himself, heard the call to serve his country and joined the United States Air Force in 2008. As an avionics mechanic, he worked on F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, dedicating himself to ensuring the safety and success of his fellow service members. His commitment to duty and country was a source of immense pride for his family and friends.
Lane was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Deborah Smith; his paternal grandmother, Minnie Emswiler; and his paternal grandfather, Joseph Emswiler; and his beloved daughters who passed with him, Carissa Monet Thomas and Elise Mae Emswiler.
Left to carry on his memory and legacy are his beloved wife, Beverly Emswiler; his daughter, Sophia Emswiler; his son, Merrick Emswiler; his parents, David and Christine Emswiler, and Samantha and Adalberto Esqueda; his siblings, Christian Emswiler, Maya Emswiler, Minda Emswiler, Denise Esqueda, and Ana Goings; his maternal grandfather, Rocky Smith; his maternal grandfather, Sam Higdon, and his wife Jackie; and a host of extended family members and friends who will carry on his legacy of love and devotion.
Lane's life was a testament to the values of service, family, and kindness. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. A celebration of Lane's life will be held at Lowell Tims funeral home chapel on March 8, 2025, at 2 p.m. with Will Archer officiating.
Services have been entrusted to Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus.
To send flowers in memory of Landreth" Lane" J. Emswiler, visit the Tribute Store.
Family was Lane's inspiration. He was a devoted husband to his wife Beverly (Mier) Emswiler and a hands-on dad to their children, Carissa, Sophia, Elise, and Merrick. Most days, he could be seen playing with his three dogs or on his UTV with his family or perhaps working on his many projects he had developing on his 3-acre homestead. Beverly, his girls, and son Merrick admired Lane dearly and will cherish their memories of playing video games, watching anime, or embarking on family gaming adventures in Minecraft. They say laughter is the universal language, and Lane was fluent. He was the family ringleader of mischief and practical jokes, and from family gatherings to his children's various school events, his wit and playful banter made every event memorable.
One to never meet a stranger, Lane loved being outside tending his grill or maybe chatting on the porch with his dad about world events. He loved planning new untried meals for his family and would cook enough to not only fill his freezer but feed his entire family for a month. He was always willing to lend a hand where needed and help those in need. Lane's innate compassion and fair service to others is what equipped him to become the outstanding correctional officer he was at the Oklahoma State Reformatory.
On May 11, 2013, Lane married the love of his life, Beverly, in Hammond, Louisiana, and together they crafted a love story that inspired all who knew them. They built a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure while looking for the perfect small town to raise their children and call their forever home. The Emswiler family found that home in Mountain Park in September 2022. They took an undeveloped raw piece of land, put a brand new home on it, and then filled it to the brim with cherished memories, laughter, and love.
Born on August 4, 1988, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to David James Emswiler and Samantha (Higdon) Emswiler, Lane soon found himself all over the U.S. living the lifestyle of a "military brat." His bright smile and compassionate heart allowed him to make friends quickly at whatever new duty station he found himself in. Although graduating high school in Buffalo Gap, Texas, at Jim Ned High School, it was his time in Wichita Falls, Texas, that would later play a part in his destiny. His parents would often take him and his siblings to camp, fish, and hunt in the Wichita Mountains or Tom Steed Reservoir and it was during this time he discovered the area that he would one day come back to and settle with his own family.
In a similar turn of events, Lane himself, heard the call to serve his country and joined the United States Air Force in 2008. As an avionics mechanic, he worked on F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, dedicating himself to ensuring the safety and success of his fellow service members. His commitment to duty and country was a source of immense pride for his family and friends.
Lane was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Deborah Smith; his paternal grandmother, Minnie Emswiler; and his paternal grandfather, Joseph Emswiler; and his beloved daughters who passed with him, Carissa Monet Thomas and Elise Mae Emswiler.
Left to carry on his memory and legacy are his beloved wife, Beverly Emswiler; his daughter, Sophia Emswiler; his son, Merrick Emswiler; his parents, David and Christine Emswiler, and Samantha and Adalberto Esqueda; his siblings, Christian Emswiler, Maya Emswiler, Minda Emswiler, Denise Esqueda, and Ana Goings; his maternal grandfather, Rocky Smith; his maternal grandfather, Sam Higdon, and his wife Jackie; and a host of extended family members and friends who will carry on his legacy of love and devotion.
Lane's life was a testament to the values of service, family, and kindness. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. A celebration of Lane's life will be held at Lowell Tims funeral home chapel on March 8, 2025, at 2 p.m. with Will Archer officiating.
Services have been entrusted to Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus.
To send flowers in memory of Landreth" Lane" J. Emswiler, visit the Tribute Store.
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