MY LITTLE OVER ACHIEVER Early in the morning of March 17, 2014, in my mind's eye, I see Jesus rolling up in His big green John Deere tractor and telling Dwain, "You've ran out of seeds to plant, let's go Home." ALL IS WELL, ALWAYS! Dwain had been planting seeds of one variety or another from the time he was six (for safety reasons belted onto an engine pulled cultivator) until the last seed he planted with those who cared for him at Mercy Hospital. Dwain was a planter, a cultivator of seeds of the soil, soul, and mind. Immensely proud of his farming background, he took great pride in the fact that alongside his parents, Marion and Rozetta Jindra, they ran a dairy, worked their land, sold eggs, bread and milk out of the back of their first pickup, while doing construction on what would become their family headquarters. During his elementary years, he took his job as "junior" partner of their family business very seriously. Around six, he realized they could be more productive and waste less time if instead of having his dad pull the truck from the milk shed to the barn, he did it himself! Around this time his sister, Linda, was added to the family, followed by Betty several years later. High school found our little overachiever actively involved in sports. He had just the right stuff to become a championship caliber catcher: grit, determination, and a powerful arm. He also loved playing basketball, just recently fondly recalling how, as a freshman, he started a game at Big Four against his cousin, A.J. Jech. Dwain was also actively involved in Future Farmers of America, winning awards at every level up to and including being a State F.F.A. Officer. During this time his farm responsibilities kept growing as he assumed a greater leadership role in the day to day operations of the family farm. He had become such an important part of the family dairy business that when he left for O.S.U., they sold the family dairy. At O.S.U., Dwain once again established himself not only as a natural leader but also as an overachiever. Not one to wait for someone else to chart his life's path, he charted his own course and graduated with honors in 3-1/2 years. Always ahead of the curve, Dwain was in the classroom only 9 months at Hefner Middle School before he became fast tracked to a counselor at Putnam City, moved to Assistant Principal at Putnam City West, then on to founding Principal at Harvest Hills Elementary School, which he did by literally sleeping on the couch the night before school opened. He was a man that found he could plant seeds in two vastly different worlds, so after having achieved his educational goals, he returned to farming. Later, he returned to serve as Principal at Cashion High School, then ended his educational dreams by being Superintendent at Waukomis Public Schools. While his professional life had experienced nothing but a steady assent, his personal life was filled with great sorrow; losing an infant son in a tragic car accident dramatically changed the course of his life. The Word teaches that out of great sorrow, greater blessings will come. God's Word proved true when in February 15, 1975, 7 year old Vickie Lynn showed up at his front door and literally stole his heart from the moment he opened the door. She had arrived from the Methodist Children's Home as a foster child, but Dwain's great love for her couldn't allow a broken system of not making foster children eligible for adoption have the last word. Dwain was an overachiever who championed that foster children at the Methodist Children's home who find themselves in the hearts of a family would be eligible for adoption In 1983, Dwain was introduced to Debi Martin, the mother of two young, rambunctious boys, Scott, 8, and Brad 6, through a former teacher of Dwain's, Debbie Eastman, whom Debi barely knew from church. Earlier that summer, Debbie Eastman had told Debi there was someone who wanted to play tennis with her. Debi thought that was the funniest thing ever since she never had or has played tennis. God and Debbie Eastman had to throw in dinner before they got the results they wanted. Dwain, having written Debi's phone number on the back of a flash card with the word "ALWAYS" on the other side, placed a call and, on November 11, 1983, Dwain and Debi officially begin their life journey together. The next five years of their life, the overachiever and the young mother gave Vickie, Scott and Brad time to flesh out what being a family could be like. Life had taught both Dwain and Debi that true, real, and lasting love isn't easy, that the path can be unpredictably bumpy and it takes all you've got plus God to make a family. The family unit jelled over times spent at church, the farm, Wichita Falls Christmas Light trips, ski trips, school plays, sporting events, extended family events and quiet family dinners. Vickie's daughter, Christian, joined the family on December 13, 1984, giving a deeper depth to what it means to be family. Five years later, on a rainy, stormy November 11, 1988 night, Dwain, Debi, Vickie, Scott, Brad and Christian, joined by both sets of parents and all their siblings, the Jindra Family officially began. Dwain's destiny was to turn two young boys into two of the most amazing men you'll ever meet, men who walk bravely before others because they've spent time not only humbling themselves before God but watching the footsteps of a man who forged the path before them, one of integrity, honesty, selflessness, and love. Debi sought to model before Vickie and Christian what it was like to have a mother's heart, to love unconditionally, that godly women can be brave and fearless, and most importantly of all to be well grounded in God's unconditional love. Ever the planter of seeds, the overachiever and the young mother, over time, reaped a bumper crop with the addition of Denny, Laurie and Jeanna, which brought forth a harvest of grandchildren: Brenden, Chambers, Melissa, Will, Audrey, Jack and Blake, which led to Dwain and Debi being called the great grandparents of baby Sagan. Seeds well planted over time yield an unbelievable harvest. Dwain and Debi have had the unique opportunity of having family adventures with their entire family. Ski trips, Six Flags, Europe (twice!), cruises to the Bahamas and Alaska, Disneyworld, San Diego, a Disney Cruise, traveling by car and train to watch NBA games, and many other adventures along the way. After each adventure, Dwain and Debi would reflect on the unmerited favor of God that has allowed them such blessings. The overachiever is now at rest, at peace and ALL IS WELL, ALWAYS because Dwain is a man who has reaped what he sowed. The celebration of Dwain's life will be Friday, March 21, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Crossings Community Church. The ultimate memorial to Dwain would be to use the $10.00 you owe him to plant a seed of love, mercy, and grace in the life of a stranger. Because of his great love for education, he planted seeds in Scott that has taken root in the form of Odyssey Leadership Academy, a school where students will pursue the things Dwain valued: Wisdom, Integrity, and Character. Funeral Service Friday, March 21, 2014 01:00 PM Crossings Community Church Chapel 14600 N. Portland Oklahoma City, OK