SSG Bryan James "retired" Carel

Bryan James Carel passed away on Saturday, September 20th, 2025 in Lawton, OK after a brief illness.

Bryan looked at the world from a different point of view than others and had a thirst for knowledge that led him to fly and to travel to many countries during his life including France, England, Germany, Austria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Jamaica, Aruba, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Brazil, Switzerland, the Dominican Republic, and Spain, where he ran with the bulls twice. When traveling the world, he loved visiting oceans and beaches. Bryan was a true Lawtonian and took advantage of the community around him. He spent countless days enjoying Lake Lawtonka and the festivities of Medicine Park. He loved motorcycles, fast cars and especially music. He was a member of Mensa and an avid Oklahoma State University football fan, holding season tickets many many years.

Bryan was born on September 26, 1952 at Fort Sill, OK to Clyde and Lucille (Carlson) Carel. Bryan grew up in Lawton and attended school at Garfield Elementary, Tomlinson Junior High School and graduated from Lawton High School. While a senior in high school he scored the second highest ACT score in the school. He proudly attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in 1978. Bryan followed in his fathers footsteps becoming a pilot and joining the United States Army, honorably serving for 23 years. During his time in the service he received many medals and awards including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver, Wheeled Vehicle Clasp, and Drill Sergeant Identification Badge. After his retirement from the military he worked many years for Goodyear.

He is survived by his brothers, Steven Douglas Carel, Brent Allen Carel and wife, Dixie, and Mikel David Carel; his sister in law, Pam Ellison Carel; his bonus daughter Amanda Riddle and her daughter, Charlotte Horn; his special friends, Jacie Reeves, Lindsay Reeves Mayberry and husband Clifton Maurice Mayberry, Kara Reeves Sanchez, Loretta Bogges and Larrett Donnell; his nieces and nephews, Matthew Brent Carel, Sarah Carel Yost and husband Jarrod, Douglas Carel, Sevie Carel Francis, Shelby Carel Bumpas; his great nieces and nephews; his constant companion, Morris the Cat; and many other loving family members and friends.

Bryan was a very generous and kind man and will be missed by all who loved him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Lucille Carel; maternal grandparents, Leonard Oscar and Edith Lily Carlson; and his paternal grandparents, Clyde Samuel and Jennie G. Carel.

Celebration of Life for Bryan will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday September 26, 2025 at Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 25th from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with full military honors. The family suggests you dress casual, or even wear your favorite OSU attire, as Bryan would want.