TUTTLE

 Don Dee Tuttle went to be with his Lord at the age of 66 in Cushing, Oklahoma on Wednesday, March 2.

Don was born on December 17, 1949. He was born in San Pedro, California to Burl and Fronzie Tuttle. His surviving siblings are Jerry Ann Koelsch of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Mike Tuttle of Durant, Oklahoma and Jon Tuttle of Cushing, Oklahoma. Childhood days were spent attending Wilson school and playing in the creek with neighborhood friends and cousins.

He was formerly married to Ann Steinbaugh in which two children were born, Jeffery and Allison. Later, he married Olivia Odom. He attended Wilson Elementary, Cushing Junior High, and graduating in 1968 from Cushing High School. Out of high school he attended Oklahoma Baptist University on full ride basketball scholarship, and graduated with a degree in Secondary Education. In 1976 he received his Master’s Degree from Prairie View A&M University.

In 1968 he helped lead the Cushing High Basketball team to a number 1 ranking and to the Semi-Finals of the State Tournament. He was awarded the title of alternate All-Stater and also made the All-Tournament team at Tulsa Tournament of Champions. He ended his basketball playing career as a 4 year lettermen at OBU. His senior year, 1972, he assisted in OBU achieving a number 8 national ranking and reaching the state college semi-finals. The highlights of his playing career was being inducted into 2 Hall of Fames: The 2002 Tulsa Tournament of Champions and the 2015 Cushing Athletic Association. In addition, for his coaching accomplishment he was named to the Liberty-Eylau Hall of Fame in Texarkana, Texas.

He spent his teaching/coaching career in Texas for 30 plus years. Some of his schools were Sinton, Goliad, Hempstead, Texarkana and finished his career in Daingerfield, Texas.

He enjoyed family gatherings, and his love of music was greatly influenced by his mother and father, who were song leader and pianist at the Free Will Baptist Church. Playing his guitar, singing gospel, country, and rock and roll music brought him great pleasure. He also enjoyed dancing to rock and roll, country, or slow music. He also was a sports enthusiast. After retiring to Cushing he enjoying supporting and following the teams and attending local games.

He is survived by daughter Allison Renee Murphy, three siblings, Jerry Ann Koelsch and husband Jim, Mike Tuttle and wife Jenny and twin brother Jon Tuttle and numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Jeffrey Scott Tuttle, and his parents Burl and Fronzie Tuttle.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 12, at the First Christian Church, 300 East Moses, Cushing, Oklahoma. We will be providing an opportunity for family and friends to share their memories of Don during the service. Reception to follow in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the March of Dimes Foundation or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Cushing, Oklahoma. Condolences and online guest book are available at www.palmermarlerfh.com