Carl Eldon Springer Sr. was born near Prague on September 19, 1930, and departed this life in Oklahoma City on June 11, 2011, at the age of 80.

Carl was the son of Benjamin and Maud States Springer.

He had been a resident of the Prague area most of his life.

He was married to LaWanda Upton at Tecumseh on September 4, 1953.

He served two tours of duty overseas with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a retired air conditioner maintenance mechanic at Tinker Air Force Base and was an ordained Baptist Minister.

Carl was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Shawnee and also attended Garden Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, LaWanda on June 26, 2003, three sisters and one brother.

Survivors include one daughter and son in law, Vicki and Terry White, of Prague; three sons and one daughter-in-law, Carl Springer Jr., Arkansas; Kent Springer, Shawnee; James and Viyadarat Springer, Thailand; two sisters, Alma Artis, Midwest City; and Cora Lee Kolb, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; nine grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends and family from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 13, at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, at Garden Grove Missionary Baptist Church with Brother Bill Matthews officiating and Brother Phil Thompson assisting.

Burial will follow in Garden Grove Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service of Prague.