Delbert (Dick) R. Trahern, 89, died on June 29, 2024, in Owasso, OK. The son of Forrest and Dorothy (Wallace) Trahern/Downing, he was born on April 22, 1935, in Liberal, KS.
Preceding him in death was his wife of sixty-three years, Barbara M. Trahern; his parents and stepfather, Guy Downing; his brother, Dale and his sister, Donna.
He is survived by his sister, Guylene Stoddard of Lenexa, KS and his sons, Darwin (Barb) Trahern of Venetia, PA; Kirby (Margaret) Trahern of Owasso, OK; Trent Trahern of Independence, MO; and Douglas (Marla) Trahern of Independence, MO. Also surviving him are his grandchildren Nikki (Aziz) Golsorkhi, Cody Trahern, Gavin (Sheena) Trahern, Dallas (Hillary) Trahern, Leah (Shane) Prather, Jacob Trahern, Rebekah (Gene) Haynes, Joshua (Jess) Trahern, Jeremiah Trahern, and twelve great-grandchildren, Taylor, Embree, Lainey, Bryson, Huxton, Adalee, Brooks, Cierra, Daxxton, Lane, Owen, Aubrey and many nieces and nephews.
He was born in Liberal, KS and then raised on his stepfather’s farm/ranch after the age of eight. He graduated from Moscow (KS) High School where he excelled in basketball and track. He met Barbara a few years later and they were married on June 17, 1956, in Pratt, KS. He began his working career as a heavy equipment operator leveling fields for irrigation and then went to work for Farmland Industries. After several years, he then landed a much-desired position with Panhandle Eastern Pipeline. This is where he truly realized his gift of working with steel and became a certified pipeline welder. As his skills advanced, he began producing useful tools and decorative items for people to use and admire. He truly was an artist when it came to designing things that are produced with a cutting torch and welding rod. Additionally, he loved working with livestock and had numerous herds, even into his early eighties. He also farmed some and owned a trucking company after his early retirement at 55.
Dick gave his life to Jesus Christ as an early teen in Moscow, KS and served those he could help with love and compassion throughout his life. He was an Elder with the RLDS church in Liberal, KS. Afterward, he attended the Mennonite Church at Turpin, OK and then the First Church of God in Nowata, OK.
He loved his family deeply and was always involved in his son’s lives. He figured out that if he ran the chains at home football games, he could be right there on the field with his boys; so, he volunteered for many years. His favorite hobbies were hunting deer and upland game birds, as well as fishing. As much as he could, he passed his passion for these on to his sons.
• A private memorial service for the immediate family will take place at a yet to be determined place and time.
Memorial contributions may be sent to: Nowata City County Library, 224 S. Pine Street, Nowata, OK 74048.
Paid obituary
