Elisha "Eli" Cypert, 89, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, went to be with the Lord Monday, November 5, from cardiac arrest. He was born on March 31, 1929 in Brownfield, Texas, to Filmore Gilmore Cypert and Myrtle Elizabeth (Petty) Cypert. Eli gave his heart to the Lord at ten years of age in a country church revival. The Cypert family helped to organize the Brownfield First Church of the Nazarene when he was 12 years old. When Eli was in his early teens, he remembers helping his dad and brother build the church building. The Cypert family was charter members of Brownfield First Church of the Nazarene. Eli spent his high school years living with his Uncle Joe in Big Springs, Texas, where he learned to play football and basketball. He was a great athlete. When Eli was a senior in high school, he moved back to Brownfield to live with his family. He drove a school bus and finished his senior year. He was elected All School Favorite, as was his brother Jim and sister Ruth. Eli graduated from Brownfield High School in 1948 and then hitchhiked his way to Bethany Peniel College where he met the love of his life, Wilma Jeanne Taylor. He married Wilma Jeanne (Taylor) Cypert on September 29, 1951 in Bethany, Oklahoma. While at College, he was drafted into the Korean War and served for fourteen months on the front lines. After returning from Korea, Eli finished his degree while serving as youth pastor at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene from 1953-1955. After graduation, Eli spent six years (1956-1962) with GMAC. He worked in the Southwest Oklahoma area, Lawton, Altus and Fredrick. Everywhere he lived, he served in the local Nazarene church as "minister" of music, youth leader, board member or in any other needed capacity. In 1961, Eli and Jeanne moved back to Oklahoma City. With his business degree and financial background, Eli began his career as a commercial loan officer opening the Village Bank. Eli was active in The Village community life. He served as president of the Cassady-Village Kiwanis Club in 1966. In 1968, Eli was elected secretary of the Oklahoma-Texas District Kiwanis Chapter. He was also president of the Northside Kiwanis Club in 1978-1979. While serving as a board member of the Northside YMCA, Eli was responsible for numerous fund-raising projects. During Elis career, he worked at First National Bank of Britton, Quail Creek Bank, and Canadian State Bank. He owned Drillers Supply Company and was involved in other business ventures. Eli was very active at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, serving on the board for 26 years. He has gone on many teen tripstaking the youth camping, fishing and backpacking; teaching them to waterski; leading Caravan groups; taking vacation time to take kids to camp and teaching teen Sunday School classes. He had a passion for young people and gave many of them nicknames! He was an active member of his Sunday School Class and cherished his church family deeply. He loved and supported all of his pastors. Eli loved his Alma mater, Southern Nazarene University. He was a charter member of the SNU Benchwarmer Club. He never missed a game. Eli followed the basketball games, both women and mens teams in and out of town. He supported them in any way possible. He was preceded in death by his parents, Filmore Gilmore Cypert and Myrtle Elizabeth (Petty) Cypert, Sisters: Katherine Prentice, Viola Wallace, Mary Peters, Lannie Montgomery, Tommie Foote; Brothers: Jim Cypert. Survivors include his loving wife of 67 years, Wilma Jeanne (Taylor) Cypert; daughter, Katherine Ann (Cypert) Brown and her husband Ed; son, Kendall Lee Cypert and his wife Jacqueline; daughter, Donna Lynn (Cypert) Bond and her husband Jim. Eli had eight grandchildren: Justin Edward Brown (Lauren), Jacob Taylor Brown (Caleigh), Thomas Lee Brown (Bethany), Amy Elizabeth Cypert, Jenna Marie (Cypert) Knutson (Kevin), Joseph Scott Bond (Jesse), David Thomas Bond (Bethany), Zachary Lane Bond (Avery). Eli had sixteen great-grandchildren: Clint Edward Brown, Luke Everette Brown, Wesley Jack Brown, Devo Cole Brown, Griffin Taylor Brown, Trey Sullivan Brown, Isabella Kate Brown, Hope Madeline Brown, Mack Eli Brown, Landon Thomas Brown, Ava Mae Knutson; Johnnie Earl Guy Stoll, William Dale Bond, Eliza Mae Bond, Scottie Jane Bond, Brothers: Roy, Claud and Lee Cypert; Sister: Ruth Scasta. The viewing will be Friday, November 9, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with family present from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Mercer-Adams Funeral Home. Services to honor his life will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 10, at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene with interment in the Bethany Cemetery. Flowers and condolences may be sent to Mercer-Adams Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to BFC Youth camp scholarships. Funeral Service Bethany First Church of the Nazarene Saturday, November 10, 2018 10:00 AM 6789 N.W. 39th Expressway Bethany, Oklahoma 73008