David Orville Corlett

David Orville Corlett, 83, of Tonkawa, Oklahoma, passed away on Wednesday, February 25,
2026, at home, surrounded by his family and loved ones.
David was born on December 26, 1942, in Ark City, Kansas, to Orville and Bernadine Corlett.
He grew up alongside his sister, Deana Corlett White, and carried the values of hard work and
faith with him throughout his life.
He graduated from Ark City High School in 1961 and attended Cowley County College for two
semesters before entering the United States Navy in 1963, where he proudly served for four
years.
David spent many years working as a salesman and also worked part time with the Oklahoma
Wildlife Department. He gave generously of his time to his community, volunteering with the
Kaw City Fire Department for nearly 20 years, eventually retiring as Fire Chief.
On October 14, 1980, David married Donna Lee Webber. Together they built a life in Kaw City,
Oklahoma, raising their three children—Clint, Robin, and Cami—and forming a family rooted in
love, dedication, and shared experiences.
During the 1980s, Dave and Donna owned and operated the Kaw One Stop for approximately
nine years. Their long hours of work were rewarded with lasting friendships and deep ties within
the community.
Faith was a steady presence in David’s life from an early age. As the son of a traveling
salesman, he attended Sunday services wherever the road led. After marrying, David and
Donna became active members of the First Christian Church in Shidler, where he served as a
deacon and later as chairman of the board. In 2023, after moving to Tonkawa, they joined
Christian Life Church, where some people thought “Boppy”—the name his grandchildren call
him—was his actual name.
David cherished time spent hunting with his son Clint, often heading out before dawn and
returning only after a successful day together. He enjoyed watching sports, reading mystery
novels, and making frequent trips to the library. Traveling brought him great joy, and he created
lasting memories with his family on trips to places such as Las Vegas, Acapulco, and on a
Caribbean cruise. He also delighted in taking his daughters to the horse races in Salisaw,
Oklahoma, where he happily let them place bets—even if they never came home winners.
David was a man of integrity, compassion, and quiet generosity. As a young boy, when his
father became fully disabled, David helped support the family by taking on a paper route. Years
later, while operating the Kaw One Stop, he lent his own truck to a stranded stranger facing an
emergency, expecting nothing in return (although he was very thankful the man did, in fact,
return his truck). That simple act reflected the way he lived his life—seeing a need and stepping
forward to help.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Donna; his son, Clint and wife Amy; and his daughters, Cami
and husband Mark, and Robin and husband Scott. He also shared a special lifelong bond with
his cousin, Rex Corlett, whom he considered a brother.
He was a proud grandfather to Clint and Amy’s children, Chelsea, Kallie, Dylan, Abbey, and
Cooper; Cami and Mark’s children, Lacy and husband Kyle, and Ashley and husband Haddon;
and Robin and Scott’s children, Ciara and husband Josh, and Brody.
He was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Ciara and Josh’s daughter, Piper; Lacy and
Kyle’s twins, Parker and Hayes; Ashley and Haddon’s children, Suede and Sage; Abbey’s
daughter, Aspen; Cooper’s son, Easton; Dylan and Sydney’s children, Roman, Bronson, and
Grayson; and Kallie’s daughter, Addison.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Bernadine Corlett, and his sister,
Deana Corlett White.
A funeral will be held at Christian Life Church in Tonkawa, Oklahoma at 10:00am Saturday,
February 28th; Josh Reese officiating.
 

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