Harold Lawrence Deitz

March 8, 1947 – February 2, 2023

Harold “Hal” L. Deitz passed away on Thursday, February 2nd, surrounded by friends and family.

Hal was born on March 8, 1947, to Lila Hansler VanWieren Deitz and Harold VanWieren. After a brief residence in Mineral Wells, Texas, the family moved to Illinois. Hal remained in the West Chicago area until the early 1980’s when he transferred residence to the Oklahoma City metro, continuing his electrical engineering career with Western Electric and then AT&T.

Hal is survived by his two daughters and sons-in law Tina and Ken Baugh and Tracy and Tim Warren; his four grandchildren and grandson-in-law Michaela, Jeremy, Jayden and Spencer, and Isabella, his single great-grandson Spencer, and his partner in life, Aimee.

Sergeant Deitz entered the United States Air Force at the age of nineteen and served his country as an avionics instrument system specialist for four years during the Vietnam War. He continued his service later in life as a search and rescue pilot with the Civil Air Patrol and received commendations for his work and leadership in the Air Force Communications Command MARS Program.

Hal graduated from Chicago Community High School, earned his Associate of Applied Science in Aviation from Rose State College, and continued his passion for learning throughout his life at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Hal was an adventurous man with a love for the outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, traveler, commercial pilot, aeronautics ground instructor, amateur radio operator, and Oklahoma storm chaser. Hal also loved many types of music and was a proficient organist and singer.

Hal’s memorial service will be held at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 NW Expressway in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Thursday, February 9th, at 10:00 am. Visitation to be held Wednesday, February 8th, from 4:00pm-8:00pm at the same location.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapelhill-okc.com for the Deitz family.