Oscar Jay "Jaybird" Mize

Oscar Jay “Jaybird” Mize passed away on February 3, 2022. He was 65.

Jay was born on January 3, 1957 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Oscar Junior Mize and Junita Joy Mize.

He graduated Earlsboro High School in 1975 and was the valedictorian of his class. He went on to earn an Associate’s degree in Business from Seminole Junior College, now Seminole State College.

On December 18, 1976, he married Debra Bernice Barnett and settled in the heart of his hometown, Earlsboro, where they raised their family.

In addition to starting a family and buying a farm to run cattle, Jay started a 30+ year career as a rural letter carrier for the United States Postal Service while also operating a successful hay hauling business to support and provide for his family as well as employee many young men through the years, most of which remain family friends to this day.

Jay was no stranger to early mornings and late nights. As the oldest of five children, Jay was brought up to have a good work ethic and rise early before dawn to go milk the family dairy cows, help around the family farm and help run the family business J & J Feed and Grocery.

As a young husband and father, Jay frequently began his day before sunrise and just as frequently, ended them after the sunset.

His family was his pride and joy and he did everything in his power to make sure they were provided for.

He was an entrepreneur at heart and was so proud to open the Earlsboro Tag Agency in 1997. True to his desire and passion to carry on the tradition of family run business by the Mize's, his wife Debbie, his only son Jeff Mize and youngest daughter Kassy Mize began employment at the agency and now Jeff is the owner and agent. It meant the world to Jay to see a business he started taken over by the son he adored so much and his beloved Kassy carrying much of the load. Family and business were Jay's whole heart.

Jay was preceded in death by his mother and father.

He is survived by his wife Debbie, three children Crissy Ann Mize, Jeff Mize and Kassy Marie Mize, four grandchildren Summer Jae Smith, Jordan Bruce Smith, Berek Brice Smith and Kayson Mac Mullican as well as his siblings Gail Nash and brother-in-law Daryl, Monte Mize and sister-in-law Simone, JoBeth Parsons and Ray mize along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jay will be deeply missed by his wife who called him Jayboy, his children, grandchildren and honorary grandchildren who called him Jaypa.

A visitation and viewing is planned for Tuesday 2/8/22 from 5:30-7pm at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be Wednesday 2/9/22 at 2pm at Life Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The graveside service will be at Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee immediately following.

Casket bearers will be Rowdy Pickering, Jason Gee, Jordan Smith, Berek Smith, Montana Parsons and Trey Williams. Honorary bearers will be Kayson Mullican, Samuel Nash and Jerred Romberg.

Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.