Gary Coltharp

Gary Coltharp, age 77, of Blackwell, Oklahoma, passed away on May 30th, 2025. He was born on July 2nd, 1947 to Darrell and Clara (Robison) in Coffeyville, Kansas. Gary attended Blackwell Public Schools and participated in football, wrestling, and baseball. He graduated with his beloved BHS class of 1965. He continued his education at Oklahoma State University majoring in Management and Marketing. 

Gary earned money in his high school years by mowing lawns, working at Sonic and at the Conoco gas station on Blackwell Ave. by the old river bridge. He enjoyed hunting fishing, and camping with his parents and siblings; activities that he continued to enjoy with his wife, children, grandchildren, other family members and friends. He planted a large garden for years, sharing the fruits of his labor with many people. 

After high school, Gary worked at the Blackwell Zinc Smelter, and then at Conoco/Phillips in Ponca City. He was a pipe-fitter and later  managed many turn arounds for the plant. Gary was a member of the Blackwell unit of the Oklahoma National Guard. In 1973, members of his guard unit were sent to McAlester, Oklahoma to help regain control of the prison after the worst prison riot in United States history. 

Gary married his high school sweetheart, Diana Alma Giri in 1968. She was a foreign exchange student from Buenos Aires, Argentina and they took an English/Spanish dictionary with them on dates. 

Gary and Diana were married to each other for 57 busy, wonderful years. 

Gary and Diana were amazing hosts of family dinners for the holidays and get togethers for friends and classmates. Gary loved to cook, he made the turkey, ham, and mashed potatoes for holidays while other family members provided the side dishes. A favorite side dish requested of Gary by family members in the summer was his “famous” potato salad. He even shared the recipe with his daughter-in-law, Susan, in an interesting, fun way. 

Gary was very involved with the Blackwell Baseball Association, helping maintain the “B” Street and Morgan fields while coaching many teams.  He also was involved with the Blackwell Take Down Club, while his sons wrestled for the program. He was a proud member of the ownership group of the Sooner bus that was driven from Blackwell to Norman for football games and tailgating. He enjoyed playing golf at the Blackwell golf course with friends and in various tournaments with coworkers. 

Gary is preceded in death by his wife, Diana Coltharp, his father, Darrell Coltharp, brother, Tom Coltharp and brother-in-law, Ricky Vandermeer. 

Gary is survived by his sons, Terry Coltharp and his wife Susan, of Stillwater, Tracy Coltharp and his wife Rhonda, of Owasso; grandchildren, Curtis Coltharp and his wife Allison of Yukon, Caitlin Dougan and her husband Zayne of Stillwater; Emerson, Rory, and Bentley Coltharp of Owasso, great-grandchildren Lainey and Ryder Dougan of Stillwater. He is also survived by his mother Clara Coltharp of Blackwell, and three sisters; Connie Hemple and husband Jerry of Blackwell, Alice Vandermeer of Blackwell, Sandra Brown and husband Royce of Edmond, five nephews, two nieces, and many cousins. 

A Celebration of life service will be held at the Methodist Church in Blackwell on June 7, 2025 at 1:00pm and all friends and family are invited to attend.