Denver Waltrip

Denver Everett Waltrip, age 78, of Arapaho, Oklahoma, passed away on June 27, 2025. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Denver lived a life marked by love, hard work, adventure, and unwavering devotion to his family.

He was born on December 13, 1946, and graduated from Arapaho High School with the Class of 1965. Denver proudly served in the United States Army as a Private Second Class and was a member of the 71st Reserve for six years. He carried that same sense of duty and discipline into every aspect of his life.

Denver was self-employed. He grew up farming and ranching, and spent 25 years hauling cottonseed and cattle across the country. Through this trade he earned the handle “Redline,” on the two-way radio. He was an active member of the Cattleman’s Association, AOPA, and the Farm Bureau. He added a second truck to the business, which his wife, Carolyn, drove alongside him. Together, they made countless miles and memories, building a life rooted in love, partnership, and purpose. In 2024, Denver retired from farming and ranching, but still loved going and “making the rounds.”

A man of deep faith, Denver was baptized at the First Christian Church at a young age and later took part in a meaningful Bible tour through Jerusalem, Jordan, Greece, Rome, and Turkey. He cherished his travels with the Jamboree group, forming lifelong friendships along the way.

Denver had a passion for flying and was a licensed private pilot with both VFR and IFR ratings. He owned and flew a Cessna 182, a Cherokee 6, and a Piper 172 Turbo. When not in the sky, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, and golfing. One of his favorite stories involved a day on the course with Johnny Mack Shephard during a surprise tornado—an experience he loved to recount with a smile. He was an avid coyote hunter.

Above all, Denver was a family man. He was an active class parent throughout his daughters’ school years and had a unique ability to connect with children—his trademark fist bumps became a special gesture of encouragement and love. He treasured time with his grandchildren, whether it was treasure hunting, playing at the park, sharing ice cream, or cheering them on at their events.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Waltrip, of the home; daughters, Tamara Powell (Jim Price) of Cordell, DeAnn Sawyer of Arapaho, and Sheri Mahanay (Clint) of Clinton; grandchildren, Dasha Majors (Aaron) of Hinton, Daci Craig (Oscar) of Elk City, Marly Lustfield (Zach) of Clinton, Drew Mahanay of Yukon, Holden Everett Powell (Kiya) of Arapaho, and Hudson Powell of Weatherford; and great-grandchildren, Saylor Powell, Lakyn Powell, and Jack Denver Lustfield. He also survived by family friend, Danny Kisinger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Duwayne (Trigger) and Verna Waltrip; grandparents, Walter and Hester Waltrip, Otto and Pearl Parr; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Jacqui Waltrip; his father- and mother-in-law, Rueben and Ella Rose; and his son-in-law, Kent Powell.

Denver’s legacy is one of strength, kindness, and unwavering love. He will be remembered not only for the life he lived but for the lives he touched.

Friends and family will be able to come sign the registry for Denver from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on Monday, June 30, 2025, and from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Come and go visitation will start Tuesday from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with a family greeting from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The visitations and family greeting will be in the chapel at Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the First Christian Church, 111 South 28th Street, Clinton, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a contribution to the CPSF Kent Powell Memorial Scholarship noted in memory of Denver Waltrip, PO Box 822, Clinton, OK 73601, or you can donate to the Arapaho-Butler School Scholarship Fund.