Darrell Blaine Overland

Darrell was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota on August 31, 1931 to Clarence and Edith Overland. He attended Central High School and attended North Dakota University. He was proud of his Norwegian ancestry and its strong local heritage of farming and carpentry. He loved to cook Norwegian food and loved telling stories of wheat harvest days and “Ole and Lena” jokes.

Darrell Joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, where he met and fell in love with his soulmate, Willie Jean Whitaker and later that year they were married. After the birth of their daughter, Debra Ann, they were transferred to Anchorage, Alaska. It was there that Darrell gave his life to Christ. He and his family returned to Midwest City after being honorably discharged from the service and entered civilian life with a job at C. H. Guernsey and Company in 1955.

He worked hard at his job and gained a leadership role at Guernsey, becoming the head of the telecommunications division. At Guernsey, Darrell was involved in the transformation and modernization of telecom service in Rural Oklahoma. He gained respect from the entire telecom industry and served on the Oklahoma Telephone Association’s Board of Directors for many years. He was also elected to OTA’s Hall of Fame in 2005 and served as President of the National Association of Communications Engineers in 1980. He served on Guernsey’s Board of Directors for over 35 years and after 46 years with the company, he retired.

Darrell was always involved with his faith. He was a founding member of Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene and served in many leadership positions. He loved God and worked to fulfill the many needs of the church with his talents and his gifts.

Darrell was totally and constantly involved with his family. He loved doing projects, fixing problems, attending games, dance recitals, and events. His constant dedication to teaching his family that God, family, common sense, and ethics always come first. And ALWAYS have fun in life, making sure not to sweat the small stuff.

Darrell loved to travel and, in particular, loved to go on Southern Caribbean cruises with his family. San Diego became a favorite destination and he was a faithful San Diego Padres fan. He loved golf, horse racing, popcorn, JUST a half a glass of wine, and OU Football. But his first love was Hockey. He taught all of his children the game and his passion was evident. He missed very few Blazers and Barons games throughout the years dating all the way back to the mid-1960s. He worked closely with the Oklahoma City Blazers Hockey Club and his friendships with the ownership, management, coaches, and players continues today.

Throughout his life, Darrell’s friendship is evident by the many who know him and call him friend. Everyone that ever met Darrell during his life has at least one story about him. Each story would reflect his genuine friendly personality and passion for living life to the fullest.

Darrell was preceded in death by his wife, Willie Jean; his two daughters, Debra Ann Budde and Jill Elaine Overland; His mother and father, Edith and Clarence Overland; and his sisters Bonnie Geiermann and Wanda Overland.

He is survived by his sister, Sandra Schleske and her husband, Russell, of Oakland, California; his sons, Dan Overland and wife Nancy of Shawnee, and Scott Overland and his wife, Melissa, of Midwest City; his grand children; Amy Kelley and her husband, Jack, of Midwest City; Ryan Overland of Tulsa; Matt Overland and his wife, Emily, of Norman; and Bayley Staley and her husband, Craig, of Oklahoma City, Emily Nichols of Oklahoma City, Darrell Blake Overland of Oklahoma City, and Macy Overland of Midwest City. He has 13 wonderful great-grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. And, of course, the countless family and friends in Oklahoma and throughout the Country.

Visitation will be held from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, 5005 SE 29th St. Del City, OK 73115. The family will be receiving friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A Celebration of Darrell’s life will be held at the Meadowood Baptist Church, 2816 North Woodcrest Dr. Midwest City, OK, on Friday, December 2nd at 10am. Internment will follow at Sunnylane Cemetary, Del City.

In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital Research Foundation, 4200 W. Memorial Rd, OKC 73120 or visit www.okheart.com/research.

Arrangements under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, Del City, Oklahoma.