March 3rd, 1934 - March 11, 2024
The celebration of the remarkable life for David E. Earl is 11:00AM Friday, March 22, 2024 in the First United Methodist Church. Rev. Devon Krause officiating. A private family burial will precede the celebration under the direction of Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home
David Edwin Earl was born March 3rd, 1934 in Rochester, New York. He passed away March 11th,2024 shortly after celebrating his 90th birthday. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. David’s life was defined by his commitment to his family, faith, and community.
In 1955 he married Ruth Thomas. David and Ruth were blessed with four children, Michael, Timothy, Todd, and Kimberly. After Ruth’s passing in 1980, David met Charla Miller. After dating for 18 years, they married September 5th, 1998.
David is survived by his wife Charla and also leaves behind a legacy through his three sons and their spouses, as well as his daughter: Linda and Michael Earl, Lisa and Tim Earl, Cindy and Todd Earl, and Kimberly Earl Choate, as well as stepchildren Anne and Jon McNaught, and Angela and Mark Miller. He also leaves behind his sister Janet and her spouse Bill, as well as several cousins. David is also survived by his dog Spock, whose unwavering loyalty was evident by his constant companionship during Dave’s illness.
A man of diverse talents and unwavering principles, David was a rare breed. A Navy veteran, patriot, engineer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, he embodied a unique blend of intellect, and hands on skills. His interests ranged from science, math, history, and economics, to philosophy, and a love for airplanes.
David grew up in rural America and worked tirelessly to achieve his dreams. After serving in the Navy post Korean War, he pursued education, double majoring in electrical engineering and business administration at Kansas State University. After college, he moved his family from Kansas to Indianapolis, where he accepted a job with General Motors at the Allison Plant. They lived there for four years. He then accepted an offer to relocate to Enid, Oklahoma and join the family business as a partner in a growing electrical contracting firm. The week after the offer, he received a call for his dream job at NASA, however, he turned it down because he had already given his word. He believed a man was only as good as his word, saying “You only get one name, make it something you can be proud of.” He played a pivotal role in growing the family’s electrical contracting firm, becoming a respected figure in the community.
A few of his awards and accolades include, the Boy Scouts Silver Beaver, and Enid’s Citizen of The Year. David reluctantly accepted recognition for his service. He viewed service to one’s community as a necessary part of the able man’s role in society, not a means for self-aggrandizement. His philanthropic efforts reinforced his belief that success and talent were meant to be shared. David’s legacy lives on through his children, who inherited his devotion to God and country, his insatiable curiosity, independent spirit, strong work ethic, and philanthropic values.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to OU’s Children's Hospital or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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