Carl Lee Ozbirn
Funeral services for Carl Lee Ozbirn will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at the First Freewill Baptist Church, in Sulphur, with Pastor Dick Terry officiating. Interment, with military honors by the Chickasaw Honor Guard, will follow at the Oaklawn Cemetery, in Sulphur.
Carl was born March 12, 1946, in Hickory, to the late Fred and Ida Pearl (Price) Ozbirn. He passed from this life on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Sulphur, at the age of 77. Carl and Mary Carolyn Brown were married on April 9, 1972, in California. From this union were born two daughters, Kathryn and Krista. Mary Carolyn preceded Carl in death on March 21, 2010. On September 1, 2017, he married the former Ms. Darliene (Stritzke) McClellan, in Gainesville, TX.
Carl grew up in Hickory, moving to Sulphur at the age of 13. After graduating from Sulphur High in 1964, he joined the Oklahoma National Guard, devoting six years of service to our country. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Guard, Carl began his working career with the Giltz Corporation in Texas, prior to returning to Oklahoma, where he worked for Haliburton in both Davis and Duncan. After retiring from Halliburton, he spent several years driving a truck for Joe Brown. He also spent some time working for the Chickasaw Housing Authority and the City of Sulphur. His final employment was with the Chickasaw Nation, working as a surveillance supervisor at local casinos.
Carl was a very upright man. He was known for saying what he thought and meaning what he said. Throughout his life, Carl was an avid fan of horses. He spent every extra second he had training horses, team roping and teaching others how to rope and ride. He was proud to watch those he had trained, both horses and young men, excel in the sport of roping.
Carl was a very loving and devoted husband. He was also a very proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved spending time with those he loved so dearly. He will be remembered as a man of values, a loyal friend and man of trust.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Darliene; three daughters, Kathryn Walck and husband, Mark of Sulphur, Krista Emory and husband, Don of Marlow, and Kitty Herbel and husband, Jeffery of Enid; eight grandchildren, Sydney Tillman, Alexis Walck, Madysen Walck, Kristen Walck, Karlee O’Neal and husband, Tyler, Addison Herbel, Wynter Herbel, and Zayne Herbel and wife Julie; nine great-grandchildren, Everly, Lacey, Carlee, Kaylon, Shawnna, Blake, Brody, Baylen and Baylee; as well as a host of nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
Carl was also preceded in death by three sisters, Norma D. Williams, Freda Sue Ozbirn, and Barbara Jean Allen; one brother, Lonnie Aaron Ozbirn; and one grandson, Braxton Herbel.
Services are “entrusted to” Hale’s Funeral Home of Sulphur. Online condolences can be offered at halesfuneralhomes.com.