Remembering two fallen Oklahomans
Steven Farley and Terry Hyman – two men, both in their mid-50s, who died doing what they wanted to do – will be buried tomorrow.
Farley, 57, a U.S. State Department worker from Guthrie, was killed last week by a bomb in Iraq. A Navy reservist, he was helping to build a city government in Sadr City when he and nine others were kiled in the attack.
Hyman, 56, a state legislator, was killed Friday in a farming accident on his farm near Leon.
Both were involved in risky, but different tasks, and enjoyed what they did.
Farley brought a delegation from Iraq earlier this year to the state Capitol to talk to House members about efforts to rebuild Baghdad’s infrastructure and provide basic services. He signed up for the State Department post because he believed he could help restore order despite the danger. He didn’t talk much about the risk he faced; the next day his son called asking that the name of the Iraqi official who spoke to legislators be deleted in a story we posted on The Oklahoman’s Web site because of fears insurgents would target the official when he returned. As it turned out, last week’s attack is believed to be targeted to kill city officails and adisers, such as Farley, to thwart efforts to improve services.
Hyman, a Democrat seeking a third two-year term, didn’t get involved in political maneurverings at the Capitol. He was more intent on helping his constitutents and the farming community. He received headlines in 2006 for being a House sponsor of a bill that would have made it clear animal waste should not be considered hazardous. Colleagues of both political parties said they respected Hyman, and as his seatmate, Rep. Jerry Shoemake, D-Morris, said, when Hyman spoke on the House floor members listened.
Hyman arrived early last month at the Capitol to file for re-electon. No big deal, he said. He usually arrived at the Capitol about 7:30 in the morning during session. Done with the paperwork by 8:30 a.m., he said he was happy to get back to his farm to check on his cattle and do other farm chores.
Farley’s funeral is set for tomorrow morning at an Edmond church and Hyman’s funeral is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at the Ardmore Convention Center. The governor, who plans to attend Hyman’s funeral, has ordered ordered all flags on state property to be flown at half staff tomorrow in honor of Hyman.
- Michael McNutt, Capitol Bureau
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