Obituary of Billie Loshbaugh

Billie June Loshbaugh was born April 24, 1927 in Glendale, OK to Oscar Edward and Eunice Fanny Adaline (Young) Scarbrough. She passed from this life February 6, 2011 at the age of 83. She was a 1945 graduate of Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City. Her talents as an accomplished pianist were well known at area churches. Billie studied Pre-med at Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater and received her Bachelor of Science in 1949. While a student she was employed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Surface Water Division located in the Chemistry building on campus. After graduation, she transferred to the Department of the Interior, Ground Water Division, in Washington, D.C. and continued her studies at George Washington University School of Medicine where she received her M.T. in Laboratory Science in 1951. Billie met Dean Loshbaugh at First United Methodist Church in Tulsa where they married December 20, 1958. As a long time church member, she served many years on the Board and was a member of the Wesley Class. After returning to Oklahoma, Billie had been employed by the OU Medical School, Oklahoma City, in Children's Leukemia Research. Her competence in the laboratory led to her position at the Children's Medical Center (CMC) in Tulsa where she developed laboratory techniques to serve the patient population of CMC. While serving in this position and as Head and Director of Laboratory Services, she became well known for her work that included screening newborn babies for metabolic disorders. While recognized with numerous awards and honors for her work, Billie always credited the dedicated medical staff, volunteers, and community for enabling the important medical advances made through the CMC Laboratory projects. Billie's professional memberships included the American Association of University Women, Oklahoma Society of Medical Technologists (Past President), and Children's Medical Charities Auxiliary. She received recognition for 50 years of service on the Board of Registry American Society of Clinical Pathologists, Emeritus Status. She also received recognition for 50 years of service by the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Scientists, Emeritus Status. Billie was a member of the National Society of Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America where she served as Past President of National Officers Club and Past National Chaplain. She was also an active member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Tulsa Chapter in which she served as Chairman of Music. Her father, a WWI veteran, served as a catalyst for her patriotism. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Norma Jean Scarbrough Smith. Billie is survived by her husband of 52 years, Dean of Tulsa; her brother, Jim Scarbrough and his wife, Billye of Heavener, OK; three nieces, Lugenia Counce and her husband, Ben of Caruthersville, MO, Linda Goeller and her husband, Mark of Seminole, OK and Ellen Woodring and her husband, Rob of Bixby; two nephews, Carl Scarbrough and his wife, Melissa of Houston, TX and Dean Scarbrough and his wife, Cassandra of Alva, OK; fourteen great nieces and nephews, Jim Goeller and his wife, Lindy, Anna Beth Kallenbach and her husband, Andy, Laura Schley and her husband, Steve, Emily, Trisha, Alyssa and Benjamin Counce, Carly and Daisy Woodring, Joel, Will, Lane, Gracie, and Norah Scarbrough; and one great-great niece, Norah Goeller as well as a host of cousins, additional family and loved ones. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 11, 2011 at First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Billie's memory to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th, Oklahoma City, OK 73104. Donations may be made online at www.OMRF.org. Ninde Funeral & Cremation, (918) 742-5556 www.ninde.com