Irene Alice 'Irene Campbell Lemon' Lemon

Irene Alice Campbell was born during a flood on May 14, 1918. The doctor hitched his buggy to a tree and waded in to the Kickapoo Mound Farm near Chandler, Oklahoma. Irene, always ahead of her time, had already arrived. Thus began a 95 year journey which ended in the ice storms of 2013. Irene died Christmas Morning from a respiratory infection after 25 years of limitations due to osteo-arthritis and vascular dementia. It is our belief that Irene wanted to be "home for the holidays" with Haskell, her husband of 70 years, her six siblings: Stella, Edna, Tommy, Neil, Ted, and Doris, and her parents, Tom and Martha Jones Campbell. We give thanks for the cycle of seasons and the circle of life during this season of joy. Irene grew up in Enid, OK. and graduated from Enid High School in 1935, two weeks after her 17th birthday. She served as student body secretary and played first chair violin in the All-State Orchestra. Her violin is now in the hands of great grandson Sam Wert who plays it in the Casady Orchestra. Irene's two older sisters attended Phillips University in Enid and both married Disciples of Christ ministers. Irene insisted she would attend A & M College in Stillwater - now OSU. She met Haskell Lemon while she was a sophomore in high school and he was a senior and their courtship and marriage lasted 76 years. She also attended OU and studied biochemistry, lacking 12 hours toward her degree. For that reason, she supported higher education and post-graduate degrees for all her extended family members. She and Haskell also endowed the Lemon Learning Center at Phillips University, the Martha Jean Lemon Scholarships and Lectureship in Religion at OCU, and the Haskell and Irene Lemon Division of Construction Science at the University of Oklahoma. No one worked harder or played harder than Irene. She loved fishing, fossils, gardening, and photography. She taught several generations to fish and water ski at "Uncle Hack's Cabin" on Lake Texoma. The grandkids called her nature walks "Bird Bye Bye's" and these outdoor adventures were usually followed by "Cake Break." Irene was also fully involved as a partner in the many business ventures of the family. Haskell was the visionary who saw that Oklahoma would need modern turnpikes, airports, and interstate highways. Irene was the marketing and financial detail person behind Haskell Lemon Construction Co. Irene and Haskell were among the earliest members of the National Asphalt Pavement Association and Irene served as national president of the NAPA Women. Irene was a descendant of the homesteading Crews and Campbell families in Logan and Garfield counties. She was a lifelong member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a member of Crown Heights Christian Church in Oklahoma City since 1955. The first grandchild gets to make up the nickname for the grandmother. Andrea christened Irene as "Gramguy" and so she remained for Annie, Kenny, Danny, Bob, and Jay. Irene was preceded in death by her spouse, Haskell, her parents and siblings, and grandson Dan Wert. She is survived by three children: daughter Lynette Lemon Wert and husband Pete, daughter Martha Jean Lemon, and son Larry Lemon and wife Suzy. Irene was a great example of enthusiasm and generosity to grandchildren Andrea Wert Ebeling, Ken Wert, Bob Lemon, Jay Lemon and their families. She leaves 11 great grandchildren and a far flung and caring extended family. The family thanks the nursing staff and Hall 4 aides at Tuscany Village. Irene's special caregivers were Kathryn Corley, Elizabeth Jameson, and Brandie Holcomb. Those wishing to honor Irene might consider planting a yellow rose bush in her memory. Additional memorials in Irene's name may be directed to the Deaconess Fund at Crown Heights Christian Church, 4020 N. Western, Oklahoma City, OK. Arrangements are under the direction of Smith and Kernke North at 14624 N. May. A condolence book and visitation will be available at the funeral home on December 27 and until noon on December 28. The graveside burial service will be private for family members only and include scripture selections made by daughter Martha Jean Lemon and vocal music performed by great-granddaughter Christine Ebeling.