J.L. Brien

J.L. Brien, a longtime resident of the Masham Community, northwest of Pawnee went to be with the Lord on August 3, 2017.
J.L. was born on a very hot August 5th day in 1936 to Paul Wilson Brien and Lula Viola Guinn Brien. Paul and Lula were lifetime residents of the Masham Community where they raised their five children, J.L. being the youngest.
J.L. attended the small country grade school at Masham, from 1st through 8th grade. He then attended Pawnee High School in Pawnee, OK where he graduated in 1955.
J.L. began work after graduating high school for Cameron Oil Company in Burbank, OK, operating a wench truck and pumping oil wells. He enjoyed this type of work, learning the ins and outs of the oil business, which would serve him in his later years.
Growing up on a farm he had an endearing love for farming and ranching. During high school he began raising sheep as a Vo-Ag project; he continued to do so through his early adult years. His love of livestock grew into a lifetime occupation that is still evident today. The diligence and care he gave his Black Angus cattle over the years was unmistakable. The happiest times for him were in the fall when the calving season started. He would watch over each and every cow, anticipating the birth of each calf; he often named his animals and could tell you their lineage just like a skilled genealogist. Everything about the cattle business was of the utmost importance to J.L.; there was no doubt he was a bona fide cattle rancher.
Another love of J.L.’s was carpentry. For several years he worked as a finish carpenter and cabinet maker in Ponca City, Oklahoma.
Over the past several years, he was the owner- operator of his own oil company, Kimraco Oil, Inc., which he named after his two daughters.
On November 20th, 1959 J.L. married Nancy Lee Pierce of Ponca City. They had 2 daughters, Rachenda S. Brien and Kimberly Kay Brien Clark. Having a family meant everything to J.L., he often said “You don’t mess with my kids or my cattle”. The entire family rejoiced at the birth of Kimberly’s and Randall’s son Brien Walker Clark in August 1990. A deeper and more profound joy was felt for all at the birth of Hattie Nachole Clark, daughter of Brien and Brittny Clark on September 17th, 2015. Brien and Hattie were truly the apple of J.L.’s eye.
J.L. was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Lula Brien of Pawnee, sister Pauline Shaw of Ponca City, and brother Gene Brien of Pawnee. J.L. leaves behind his two daughters, Rachenda S. Brien of Pawnee, Kimberly Kay Brien Clark and husband Randall Clark of Glencoe, grandson Brien Walker Clark and wife Brittny Clark of Glencoe, and great granddaughter Hattie Nachole Clark of Glencoe; two sisters Mary Chapman of Oklahoma City and Lucille Wilson of Broken Arrow, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was held on Monday, August 7th, 2017 at the Masham Baptist Church; funeral service was under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home, officiating minister was Curt Anderson. J.L was laid to rest at the Masham Cemetery.