C.E. Trousdale

Clarence Earl Trousdale, Jr. (aka C. E. Trousdale) went to play in the "Angel's band" on September

5, 2023 at the age of 94. C.E. was born May 23, 1929 in Shawnee, OK to parents Agnes and Earl

Trousdale, Sr. He lost his father in 1931 and his mother remained single, while raising and supporting C. E. and his younger sister, Patricia by teaching in Native American schools across the state.

In 1942, the little family moved to Pawnee where he completed his high school years, graduating in 1947. He loved playing sports, accomplishing 4 letters in basketball, 4 letters in track, and 3 letters in football. There was no baseball team, but he played on the Pawnee Town & American Legion teams. He actually still holds the Oklahoma State record for 200 yrd low hurdles for 1947 because after that year, the event was discontinued. He was quite proud of this "standing record"! All these were a noble feat for a 135 lb. athlete.

He met his future bride in 8th grade, Ellen Jane Smith, where she immediately announced to the other girls in class, "Hands off girls, he is mine!" They were a couple all through high school. They married in March 1947, and after graduation, C.E. accepted employment with Continental Oil Company of Ponca City, OK, as a "helper" on the crews. They immediately moved to Casper, Wy. From there his work took the couple to nine states all west of the Mississippi River, living in different towns in several states.

Their first son, William, was born in Jan 1948. Then, daughter Susan, was born in 1949. The moves across the country continued. Daughter, Martha, was born in 1954, and son, Kenneth in 1958, which completed their family "Tribe". In all, there were 33 moves in 30 years. In 1968, C.E. became a scout-landman for Conoco, which landed him in Ventura, CA. He retired from Conoco in Oct 1977, after 30 years. In 1978, he and Ellen Jane moved to Lake Keystone, near Cleveland, OK. with Ellen stating "NO more moves!" He began a second career with Ladd Petroleum Company, in Tulsa. They enjoyed and entertained family and friends at their lake home. Ellen Jane passed away in 2002, after 55 years of marriage.

C.E. & Ellen will be remembered for their love of music. With Ellen on piano and C.E on the guitar and vocals they "picked and sang" with Conoco friends. They enjoyed hosting the Pawnee Reunion programs for many years.

C.E. was always proud of his Potawatomi, Chickasaw, and Choctow heritage. He was a member of the American Assoc of Professional Landmen and being a Certified Petroleum Landman. He was a member of the Tulsa Downtown Lion's club, a board member of the Pawnee Bill Ranch Society, a board member of the Pawnee Historical Society, and a beloved B.I.L. of P.E.O. Chapter H of Pawnee.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Agnes & Earl Trousdale, his wife, Ellen Jane Trousdale, his beloved mother-in-law, Margaret Smith, and brother-in-law, Lloyd (Lanky) Smith.

He is survived by his 4 children, Dr. William (Bill) Trousdale & wife, Pam of Bayfield, CO. Susan Soutter and husband, Sam of Cleveland, Ok. Martha Stodghill and Dave Stodghill of Okla City, Ok, and Kenneth Trousdale and wife, Barbara of Okla City, OK

He had 9 grandchildren, who called him "Boompa", Jason, Jeremy (Bubba), Sarah Trousdale, Stacy and Sam (Sammy) Soutter, Alex and Andrew Stodghill, Kendra Trousdale and Stefanie Myers. There are 15 great grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. His sister, Patricia Tremain of Okla City. His sister-in-law, Rose Marie Smith of Stillwater, two nieces and several cousins, and his special friend and companion, Jackie Bray, of Edmond, OK.

We'd like to acknowledge his special care giver, Cheyenne Martinez, of Pawnee and the staff of Legend of Council Road Assisted Living Facility