John Daniel LeVan

John Daniel LeVan, 86, of Bartlesville, formerly of Springdale, AR, musician, died Sunday, August 25, 2024, in Bartlesville. John was born the son of John Daniel and Jane Irene (Hancock) LeVan on July 1, 1938, in Oklahoma City. He was raised in the Preston and Okmulgee area, graduating from Preston High School. His first passion was music. His mother gave him his first guitar and he loved the sound and strumming the strings. John’s father introduced him and his brothers to boxing and was their trainer and manager. John never took a hit hard enough to knock him out, but he was a knock-out in the ring. John enlisted in the U.S. Army and served twelve years, earning the rank of sergeant. He was proud of his service and loved this country. John’s musical career as an entertainer took him near and far. He recorded several albums and singles. Later in life he set up A Sharp Music, a recording studio at his home which he used to help new artists lay down their first tracks. He entertained in nightclubs and other venues, jammed with his many friends and even received an invitation to fly to England to perform just one song. It was a very memorable and enjoyable experience. His sound was Rockabilly and he was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2004. The following biography was written for John a few years ago, “John D. was a pioneer in rockabilly music beginning as a teenager with Red Foley on The Ozark Jubilee. His career has taken him on a journey through the U.S.A. and half the world appearing with such greats as Charlie Daniels, Tommy Overstreet, Roy Orbison, J. J. Cale, Sonny West, Clyde Stacy and many more. Some of the awards he has received are: three-time winner of the American Song Festival, C.M.A. Award (Country Music Association) of America; in 2004 he was inducted into the National Rockabilly Hall of Fame; in 2009 he was honored by the State of Iowa with his induction into their State Hall of Fame. According to noted writer John Wooley of the Tulsa World, John D. is also known as one of the original founders of the world famous “Tulsa Sound” as per an article in the Tulsa World, December, 2004, when he wrote, “LeVan’s work with Clyde Stacy and Gene Crose, two Tulsa music legends qualify him as a genuine Tulsa Sound pioneer.” John D.’s repertoire ranges wide, from his show-stopping rendition of Louis Armstrong and the blues to contemporary country swing to rockabilly while retaining his original “Tulsa Sound” touch.” John’s other passions in life included classic cars, most notably his 1949 Ford. He enjoyed shooting, fishing and having fun. He will be dearly missed. John is survived by his children, John Daniel (Deanne) LeVan IV, Tracy Jean (Cecil) LeVan Combs, Franklin Kelly LeVan, Sunny Danielle (Julio) Tellez and Ivy Rose LeVan; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren on the way. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Annie LeVan; and two brothers, Joe and David LeVan. Services will be held on Friday, 10 a.m., at the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Interment will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

John Daniel LeVan

July 1, 1938 - August 25, 2024