Virginia Holmes O'Leary

Oklahoma City - Virginia Holmes O'Leary, 94, a cherished resident of Lawton, Oklahoma, passed peacefully with family at her bedside on the morning of July 27, 2025.

Born on April 4, 1931, in Edmond, Oklahoma, Virginia was the daughter of Howard and Wynona Holmes. She grew up in a loving family with four brothers and one sister. A proud graduate of Classen High School in Oklahoma City, Virginia, affectionately known as Ginny, thrived in the arts, participating in choir and various drama and musical productions alongside her sister, Cecilia. Ginny graduated Classen High in 1948.

Ginny pursued studies at the University of Oklahoma for several years participating in several Sooner theatrical productions. In 1950, she married Classen high school classmate, Darrell Richard Warren. They welcomed their first son Richard in 1951. Three years later Randy was born. Ginny worked as a draftsman for Continental Oil from 1954 to 1960, supporting the family while Darrell attended medical school.

After parting ways as friends with Darrell, Ginny found love again. On June 2, 1962, she married Dr. Norman O'Leary in Denver, Colorado. The couple, along with their two sons, moved to Lawton, where Norman established his dental practice. Ginny became an integral part of the practice as his dental assistant. Their family grew with the arrival of their son Paul in 1963, followed by daughters Lara in 1964, and Lynn in 1966.

Throughout her life, Ginny maintained her passion for the performing arts. Norm and Ginny O'Leary became fixtures in the Lawton Community Theater, and Ginny was soon a vital member of the local art scene. The location of the family home, only blocks from the community theater, presented a location for singers, set technicians, and performers to meet before and after performances. It was the start of the gatherings at the 'green roundtable' that became a decades long tradition in the Lawton arts community. Ginny was the founder or co-founder of several Lawton art organizations. The Lawton Philharmonic Women's association held it's very first meetings in the O'Leary home, working to support the LPO through fundraisers and membership drives. Ginny even took it upon herself to write fresh program notes for the philharmonic concerts. Ginny's commitment to promoting the theater, the arts and classical music performances in Southwest Oklahoma made her a central figure in the creative culture of Lawton. Ginny did everything from painting her own art, to organizing the fundraising drive for the very first Philharmonic conductor's podium.

Ginny was a world traveler, a musician, vocalist, artist, entertainer, expert bridge player, and a beaming smile to anyone she met.

Her first son Richard preceded her in death.

Ginny is survived by her son Randy Warren, his wife Shirley and grandchildren Kyle and wife Kristen, Tyler and wife Emily, Trey and wife Stacey, Cameron, great grandchildren Kadyn, Presley, Gavin, Raelyn and Tristan Warren, her son Paul, his daughter Shelby Fraser and her son Wesley, daughter Lara and grandson Colton Braum, and daughter Lynn, husband Rob and grandchildren, Drake, Madison, and Griffin Parker.

A service of remembrance and joy for Ginny is scheduled for 2pm Saturday Oct 18th at the Lawton Community Theater, 1316 N. Bell, Lawton, Oklahoma 73507.