Mack Oyler was a never confused about who he was-he was strong without being macho, sensitive without being weak. He was a man with great values: loyal, proud, kind, compassionate and classy.

He was born August 8, 1926 to J. Mack and Gail Clare Oyler in Sapulpa and died Thursday in Grove. He received his degree in Veterinary Medicine from Oklahoma State University in 1953 and had a general practice in Grove from 1953 to1965. During this time he took a year out to oversee the breeding program and herd health at the Fair Oaks Ranch in Boerne, Texas. He also spent one year at the University of Arkansas teaching animal hygiene to agriculture students and managing the herd health program for university herds and flocks. Dr. Oyler received his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University in physiology in 1969 and held teaching appointments at Oklahoma State University and the University of Georgia. In 1975 he took an administrative appointment at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where he was responsible for collegiate planning, pre professional counseling and student affairs. Dr. Oyler returned to OSU in 1980 as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. He retired from Oklahoma State University in 1991 and enjoyed retirement in Grove.

Mack Oyler was a life member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, for which he served as president in 1988/89. He served on many committees both state and national. Dr. Oyler was named the 1998 Distinguished Alumnus of the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Grove, where he served on numerous committees. Dr. Oyler will be remembered as a true friend to veterinarians and veterinary medical education, a man of integrity that loved his profession, his family and his faith.

Oyler is survived by his wife, Mary; one son, Mike and his children Kyela, Whit, Mykie and Kelsi, Perkins; and one daughter, Martie and her husband, Troy Enmeier and their children Brock, Bates and Grace, Enid. One niece, Sandra Chalmers Wall, Murrieta, California and sister in law Nancy Chalmers, Locust Grove, Oklahoma. Memorial contributions may be made to the “J. Mack and Mary J. Oyler Seminar Room” at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Checks should be made payable to the OSU Foundation and mailed to the Office of College Outreach, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078 or the First United Methodist Church, 1005 Leisure Road, Grove, Oklahoma 74344.

Memorial services will be held Monday, January 4th at the First United Methodist Church in Grove at 2:00 p.m. under the direction of Worley Luginbuel Funeral Home. Interment will be at Olympus Cemetery, Grove.

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