Dcn. Bart Brashears

Deacon Leslie Bart Brashears of Stillwater died on Nov. 7, 2025.

Bart was born April 2, 1954, to parents Roland and Ramona Brashears in Chickasha and grew up in Alex. He was very involved in 4-H and FFA growing up and served as Oklahoma FFA state secretary and president and as National FFA Southern Region vice president.

At Oklahoma State University, Bart joined FarmHouse Fraternity and earned a degree in Agricultural Economics in 1977.

While at OSU, Bart met the love of his life Connie Kastl. Through her example and the guidance of Father Bob Schlitt at Saint John the Evangelist Church, Bart entered the Catholic Church at Easter 1975. He and Connie married that fall, beginning a 50-year partnership that shaped every part of his life.

Through the 80s and 90s Bart and Connie raised their family in Weatherford while Bart worked for Purina Mills as an agricultural specialist. They were active parishioners at Saint Eugene Catholic Church. Bart organized pancake breakfasts, taught middle school Sunday school, helped with Saint Vincent de Paul and served as lector and communion minister.

Bart served on parish council and was instrumental in the building of the education wing. He also made his Cursillo 34 years ago and helped start the Cursillo community in Weatherford. He enjoyed serving on many Cursillo retreat teams.

In 1999 Bart and Connie moved to Blackwell where Bart worked in the banking industry for 15 years. In 2002, Bart was ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Bart served parishes in Blackwell, Tonkawa and Stillwater, visiting the sick, counseling families through hardship, and assisting priests at Mass.

He spent more than 20 years ministering to countless parishioners through baptisms, marriages, burials and sponsoring many on their path to joining the Catholic Church. Bart also served on the board of Birthright of Stillwater, a pro-life organization. His ministry reflected his deep compassion and strong faith.

When Bart and Connie returned to Stillwater in 2015, they built their dream home and opened Hidden Meadows Bed and Breakfast on the Kastl family farm. Bart loved welcoming visitors with a quick wit, a great story, and freshly “squeezed” orange juice. His humor was gentle, and his joy in storytelling made him unforgettable.

Deacon Bart is survived by Connie, his wife of 50 years; his daughter Angela Studnek and her husband Jon and their daughters Abby, Emma, and Julia; his son Very Reverend Christopher Brashears, the Pastor of Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Shawnee; his daughter Amanda Jones and her husband Kyle and their children Annamarie, Christopher and Sarah; and his brothers Kendall and wife Paula Brashears and Michael and wife Gwen Brashears and nine nieces and nephews. Bart was proud beyond words of his family. His eyes always lit up when he spoke of his grandchildren.

He will be remembered for his steadfast faith, kindness and humor, and for his gift for making everyone feel known and valued. His family takes comfort in knowing that his story continues in all the lives he touched and all the hearts he warmed.

The wake service was held on Nov. 18 at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Stillwater. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Nov. 19 also at Saint Francis.

The family would like to express appreciation to the friends and family who have visited Bart in the last few months. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Deacon Bart Brashears to the Serra Club in support of Catholic Vocations at serraokc.org or dioceseoftulsa.org/serra-club-of-tulsa.