March 29, 1950 - April 26, 2025
Edward James Lehman was born on March 29, 1950, in Berkeley, CA and went to his heavenly home on April 26, 2025, in St. Mary’s Hospital, Enid, OK. Ed is the oldest son of James Wesley Lehman and Katherine Marie deFremery.
Ed’s parents moved to Deer Creek, OK when Ed was 5 years old so his dad could take over running the Deer Creek Mercantile. Ed graduated from Deer Creek High School in 1968. After graduation, he went to Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva, OK. While at Northwestern, he was a walk on for the basketball team. His basketball career was short-lived when his ankle was injured. After that, he decided to go out for the track team. He ran the mile and two-mile races. He excelled in both and managed to break the school record in both. He also ran cross country. He participated in the Okie Relay, which begins in Elkhart, KS and ends in Texhoma, TX. He graduated from Northwestern in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Physical Education and a minor in Industrial Education.
In the summer of 1977, he met the love of his life, Debra Solorio. They got married on December 29, 1979, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Woodward, OK. To this marriage was born two wonderful children, Aaron Edward and Christine Frances. In 1988, Ed decided he wanted to join the Catholic Church. At the Easter Vigil 1989, he was confirmed, made his first communion, and became a member of the Catholic Church.
Ed spent 40 years working for various tank companies as a welder. He enjoyed the type of work he did and getting to work in different parts of the country. He was able to work in over half of the states. And he even had the opportunity to work for two months on the Caribbean Island of Aruba. Of course, Debbie and Christine took advantage of the opportunity to spend a week with him on the island during Thanksgiving break. Debbie and the kids would travel with him when they could, especially if he was working somewhere fun, like Florida. Ed retired in August 2017 when Hurricane Harvey hit the Houston area.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and father-in-law, Jess Solorio.
Ed is survived by and will be greatly missed by his loving wife of the home; his children Aaron (Terra) Lehman, Medford, OK; Christine (Tyler) Cripe, Enid, OK; mother-in-law Barbara Solorio, Ashland, KS; sister Mary (Jaime) Zuckerman, Jamaica, NY; brothers John Lehman, Atwater, CA; and David (Patti) Lehman, Claremore, OK; brother-in-law Jesse (Sandy) Solorio, Jr., Ashland, KS; sisters-in-laws Teresa (Richard) Reynolds, Perkins, OK; and Donna (Perry) Klassen, Lehigh, KS; grandchildren: Dmitriy Lehman, Dylan Lehman, Destiny Lehman, Julian Close, and Talia Cripe; many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.
The Rosary service will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Medford, OK. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Medford, OK the Rev. Balaswamy Bathini officiating. Interment will be in the St. Anthony Cemetery, Clyde, OK, under the direction of Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory, Enid, Oklahoma.
Memorials may be made through Anderson-Burris to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Medford, OK or St. Joseph Catholic Church, Blackwell, OK.
Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-2700.
