Haydon Richard Battles

Haydon Battles was born to Shelby Battles and Ruth (Dockery) Battles in Hollis, OK on December 8, 1934. He was a native of Lovington, NM and graduated high school there in 1953. In high school, Haydon was a member of the football, basketball, and track teams. He was the co-captain of the football team, received all-state honors, and played in the North-South All-Star Football game, earning him a football scholarship to the University of Oklahoma.
After graduating high school, Haydon attended the University of Oklahoma to play football, before transferring to Southwestern Oklahoma State University to play both football and basketball. It was at SWOSU where Haydon met his bride, Carol Dean Weigandt of Gotebo, OK. They married August 18, 1957 in Weatherford, OK. Their love and family grew over the years, and 67 years later their family has grown from 2 to 23, with another great grandchild soon to arrive.
Haydon excelled both on and off the field at SWOSU, serving as a co-captain on the football team, and earning numerous distinctions and awards for his athletic performance and extracurricular involvement on campus. In 2004, he was inducted into the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Hall of Fame for his achievements in football.
Haydon was a long time educator (and Sunday School teacher) who shaped many lives and was known for his warm and ready smile. He worked as a coach, history teacher, long-time superintendent at Gotebo Public Schools, and Regional Administrator for the Oklahoma Department of Technical and Vocational Education. Haydon was also a farmer. He grew mainly cotton and wheat and raised cattle on the centennial family farm.
He taught and coached in Holdenville, Oklahoma; Hobbs, New Mexico; Hobart, Oklahoma; and Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. During his time at Hobart, Haydon received his first head coaching position of the football team and track team. In 1963, he led the Hobart football team to the school's first undefeated regular season. Haydon coached the Hobart track team to a state championship win in 1965.
Haydon became the Superintendent at Gotebo Public School and served in this role for 14 years. Through 1981 until his retirement in 1993, he worked for the Oklahoma State Department of Vocational and Technical Education, serving as a Regional Administrator for the Northwest Region.
Haydon was an extraordinary man. He touched countless lives and is much loved by his wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was a mentor and role model not only to his children but to his students, athletes, colleagues, and friends. He was an avid golfer, who enjoyed his golfing buddies and golfing trips immensely. He was known as Papa to his grandchildren and his children believe he became quite a softie when it came to his grandchildren. He will be missed deeply, but his legacy will continue for years to come.


Survivors include his wife, Carol Dean Battles of the home.
Daughters: Kim Webb and Husband, Michael of Hobart, OK
Kelly Arrington and Husband, Bill of Stillwater, OK
Kathy Phillips and Husband, Warren of Stillwater, OK
Son: Kirk Battles and Wife, Toni of Perkins, OK
Grandchildren: Ryan Sherer, Jarrod Battles, Travis Battles, Cole Battles, Matt Arrington, Britney Webb, Sydni Phillips, Zoey Phillips
Great-grandchildren: Genevieve Battles, Brooklyn Battles, Granger Battles
A host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Shelby and Ruth Battles, his brother, Joe Battles, his sister and brother-in-law, Monette and Buck Walker, his brother-in-law, Doug Radohl, and sister-in-law, Betty Porter.


In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation or the First Christian Church in Hobart.


Funeral: 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2024
First Christian Church
Hobart, OK

Visitation: 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 7, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 8, 2024
Ray & Martha's Funeral Home
Hobart, OK

Under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart, OK