Leland Doyle (LEE) Cavner was born in Baum, Oklahoma, to L.D. and Hazel Cavner, preceded into the world by his brother, Bob. He is survived by his wife Betty; son Randy,daughter-in-law, Shannon, grandchildren Grason and Kate from Gardner, Kansas; his brother Bob from Mena, Arkansas.
Leland grew up in Ardmore, Oklahoma and was raised with traditional values, including the importance of hard work. As a young man, he would help his father out with janitorial services at the high school. Growing up, he attended the Assembly of God Church with his family.
His lifelong love of sports began early on. At Dickson High School, he played both basketball and baseball, and excelled at both. His baseball team even played against Mickey Mantle's high school team. For the rest of his life, he remained an avid football and baseball fan and was an Okie to the bone. He would often amaze people by citing obscure statistics about college football players.
He developed a love of cars early in life. One of his first jobs was working at a Ford Motors parts store in Ardmore. And, while it hasn't been confirmed or denied that Leland raced cars on the streets illegally, he was one of the founding members of a hot rod club called the Slowpokes whose aim it was to create a safe place for hot rod races to take place off the streets. Founded in 1953 when Leland was 17, in two years the Slowpokes raised enough money to build a quarter-mile track where races grew in popularity and were eventually attended by thousands of fans. One of the two oldest tracks in America, Ardmore Dragway has been certified by the NHRA and is still in operation today.
Leland was also a competitive pool player who shared his enthusiasm for the game with family and friends.
Life for Leland wasn't all play, though. He maintained the good work ethic he was raised with and soon transitioned from the automotive industry into construction, where he oversaw many multi-million dollar industrial projects for companies such as American Western, Stearns-Roger, Bechtel, Ebasco and Raytheon. He had a natural ability to predict and track information such as construction schedules and labor budgets. The companies he worked for understood how important his work was and used it to complete projects successfully.
His work took him across at least 16 states and Canada. One of those states was Washington, where he met and fell in love with a young Betty Trombley in Monroe. They were married in 1969 and they traveled the country together following work wherever it needed to be done.
In 1989 the two decided to build in the backcountry town of Warren, Idaho where they, with help from family and friends, built a log home that doubled as a bed and breakfast and their new livelihood. They harvested and milled all the timber for the building from the land around them and completed all the construction themselves, despite Leland's background as a pencil pushing cost control expert. He paid attention to every detail, and it showed in the quality of the home. Word of the bed and breakfast traveled, business grew, and the couple hosted groups of vacationers for many years. Leland was a charming host to the visitors while Betty kept the household and business running smoothly.
Years went by and eventually Betty and Leland moved back to Betty's family home in Monroe , where Betty will continue to reside.
Betty and Randy, our deepest condolences. We enjoyed Leland very much. May he rest in peace. Nick and Debbie Greim
Leland always had qwick wit and managed to make me chuckle. He will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to Betty, so sorry. Love, Jeanette
My dearest Betty, everyone who knew him will miss Leland. Some of the best times of my life were the ten years Gary and I and our daughter Carmen traveled on construction for Stearns-Roger. Bill and Susie Blalock adopted us all. I even treasure the memories of hours in the pool hall. Leland could get away with saying anything, and of course he knew Gary would back him up (not that anything would have stopped him anyway!) Leland was perhaps the best friend Gary ever had, and one of the few people he confided in. I love you dearly, Sarah Gale
During my lifetime there has always been "Leland". We were cousins and we all lived in the country as neighbors. One day. when we were young children Leland came to our house to play and I misbehaved so Mother thought punishment was the next order of playtime. I disagreed with her decision and started running from her. She couldn't catch me so she hollered for Leland to catch me for her. Did that ever delight Leland? He was a very fast runner and he knew that He would catch me!. He finally did get a hold on me and held on for all he was worth as I fought him for all I was worth. Mother quickly came to Leland's rescue and thanked him and as he turned me lose,he gave her that pleased smile. Yes I received my punishment and I saw a delighted expression on his face which made me forever believe that Leland enjoyed every minute of my punishment....Really going to miss "my twin". I love you, Leland and Rest in Peace.
Betty and Family, I grew up with Leland and Bob, his brother, both wonderful guys. Leland was always such a nice person and a good Basketball player. I know everyone will miss him. I haven't seen Bob since he moved to Mena, Ark., but he also is a sweetheart. May our Lord bless and keep you Betty and make HIS face to shine upon you and bring you peace.
Thalia Ann Bean-Hutchins
Dickson Class of 1956
My condolence Betty for a great guy and the "Best Friend" of my Uncle J. D. Bridgman...I worked with Leland for a short time in Ardmore and knew him and his family for many years. He will be missed for his smile, laugh and friendship.
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I am so sorry about Leland's death. He and I graduated together
in the class of 1954 at Dickson School.
Sue Herriott Shipman-Ardmore, Ok.
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