Toby Harbeston

Carol DeWayne Harbeston, better known to his friends and family as "Toby," passed from this life on September 13, 2023, at the age of 86, in Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Toby was born on December 1, 1936, in Glenpool, Oklahoma, the son of Leo Harold and Gladys Roxie (Smithee) Harbeston. Toby grew up in Shidler briefly before his father was transferred to Boston Pool, where he attended school through the sixth grade. Toby completed his middle and high school in Cleveland, graduating with the Class of 1954. While in high school, Toby worked delivering groceries at Crady's and Cook's Grocery for several years. During his time in school, Toby was also very active in football and basketball. He was also President of the Student Council his senior year. Following high school, Toby furthered his education at Oklahoma City University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where he was a basketball team member. Toby worked for many years as an auto parts sales representative selling AC Delco parts in Tyler, Texas, Lafayette, Louisiana, and Oklahoma City. Toby returned to Cleveland, establishing Save On Auto in 1973. He owned and operated the store for several years before selling the operation and returning as a sales representative. Toby worked with Commercial Distributing in Oklahoma City and Tulsa for 25 years. He began selling for Ford Motor Company before starting with B&M Oil in Tulsa, fully retiring in 2007. Toby was united in marriage on October 7, 1977, to Carolyn Sue Smith at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Toby enjoyed golfing, fishing, and quail hunting and, for many years, spent time in their travel trailer at Flint Creek. Toby and Carolyn always enjoyed the opportunity to dance whenever they could. Toby is described as a very outgoing, ornery, and sometimes mischievous. However, it was always done in a caring and loving way. Attending Class reunions and going to the Hickory House were always highlights for Toby. He loved his two dogs, Roy and Abby, who were always beside him. Toby always enjoyed talking about sports or telling stories about events.

Survivors are his wife of nearly 46 years, Carolyn of the home, children Amanda Self and her husband Dale of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Tammy Swickey of Guthrie, Oklahoma, Tobin Harbeston of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Dawn Miller of Indianapolis, Indiana, Josh Harbeston and his wife Lisa of Mooresville, North Carolina, Shane Hebert and wife Debra of Baldwin, Louisiana; fourteen grandchildren Katie, Kristina, Josh, Zachary, Jeremy, Austin, Matthew, Joe, Sarah, Amanda, Blake, Owen, Alexis, Oday; eight great grandchildren Chase, Matthew, Wyatt, Scarlett, Ayla, Quinn, Luke, Caffery and a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Toby was preceded in death by his brother Harold Harbeston, sister Kurma Lucas, son Scott Oliver, one grandson Jacob Swickey, and great-granddaughter Lacy Castle.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, September 16, 2023, in the Woodland Cemetery with Chaplain Steve Harms officiating. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Toby at www.chapman-black.com.

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