July 5, 1946 - September 11, 2024
Charles Leslie Metscher, age 78 of Covington, Oklahoma peacefully passed away on the 11th
of September, 2024 after a hard fought fight with Bone Marrow cancer with his two children by
his side.
Charley was born on July 5th, 1946 in Enid, Oklahoma to Richard William Metscher and Willa
Jean (Evans) Metscher of Fairmont, Oklahoma. He attended Elmdale School, a one room
schoolhouse near his family farm through the 5th grade and finished his secondary education at
Covington-Douglas where he graduated High School in 1964. Charley was involved in a variety
of activities and sports including 4-H, FFA, Football, Baseball, and his favorite Basketball.
He continued his education in college at Oklahoma State University and Southwestern
Oklahoma State University earning a Bachelors of Secondary Education from SWOSU in 1968.
He continued his graduate education after teaching for several years at Oklahoma State
University earning a Masters in School Administration. Charley was a lifelong learner and
highly valued education, which led to him serving faithfully in the field of education for 55 years.
Charley met the love of his life, Terrye Jean Johnson, while coaching Basketball at Burlington,
OK. Charles and Terrye were united in marriage on October 14th, 1978 at Emmanuel Lutheran
Kingfisher and they resided for a couple years in Burlington, Oklahoma. They moved back to
Charley’s hometown of Covington where they raised their daughter Leslie and son Richard.
Charley impacted the lives of countless students as a History Teacher and Coach at several
schools in Oklahoma including Cheyenne and Burlington. He eventually returned home to
serve as the Principal at Covington-Douglas High School and served there faithfully for 16
years. He retired as principal from Covington-Douglas in 1999. He then shifted his influence to
students in adult education in Oklahoma City for another four years. He enjoyed the years of
adult education greatly, but his heart never left his hometown and so he shifted back to teaching
an occasional history class while also driving the bus with Vo-Tech students from Covington to
Enid until May of 2023.
Beyond the education of his students, Charley’s true passion was the development, shaping,
and empowerment of ALL students. He was an educator and administrator that believed IN
EVERY STUDENT and helped them believe in themselves and their potential. He also was one
of the school and communities most loyal fans and showed up to every sport, livestock show,
band/choir concert, FFA event, or other school/community event that he could attend.
In all of his “free time”, Charley also pursued his passion for farming and raised cattle on his
family farm until the day he died. He taught his children, grandchildren, and several local
students about the importance of agriculture and instilled his love for agriculture and raising
cattle in them as well. He also served the community by being an active member of the local
Lions Club.
Most importantly, Charley and his family were faithful members of St. John’s Lutheran church in
Covington, where he served as the chairman of the congregation for many years. He also
served with the youth in Vacation Bible School and weekly youth activities. His faith in Christ
was the most important thing in his life and that faith played out actively in how he served and
loved his wife, children, family, students, community, and really anyone that he interacted with.
That was evident in the joy he expressed in all circumstances and by his smile, a smile that
could warm any heart.
Charley’s love and pride for his family was known by all who knew him. He was preceded in
death by his parents, Richard and Jean Metscher; his brother, Richard James (Jim) Metscher;
his wife, Terrye Jean Metscher, and his infant daughter.
He is survived by his daughter Leslie Seaton and her husband Darrick, his son Richard
Metscher and his wife Kelly; his sister, Linda Dudek and her husband Tom; his four cherished
grandchildren, Addy and Dez Seaton, and Rhett and Levi Metscher; his nieces and nephews,
Ashley, Chelsea, Will, Kacy, Kory, Kody, and John.
As we say goodbye to Charley, we celebrate his amazing life and the countless lives he touched
with his kindness, joy, humor, and empowering spirit. His memory and example will hopefully
remind us all on how to love, serve, laugh, and honor Christ in all that we do. He will be deeply
missed by his family, friends, students, church, community, and all who were fortunate enough
to know him on this side of heaven.
Funeral Services for Charley will be held on Sunday, September 22nd at 3:00 pm at the
Covington-Douglas High School with burial to follow at the Lutheran Cemetery. There will be a
visitation held on Friday evening, September 20th from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Hennniger-Hinson
Chapel in Enid, Oklahoma.
Memorials in honor of Charley may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Covington.
