Edward Merle Deplois, 96, went home to be with the Lord on November 26, 2021 at his home in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He was born on November 23, 1925 in Arcadia, Oklahoma to Otto and Austa (Ray) Deplois.

Edward, Ed or “Mr. D”, as he was known throughout his life was raised in Nowata, Oklahoma.  He graduated from Nowata High School where he was Salutatorian of his graduating class.  He later attended Claremore Junior College earning an associates degree and then went on to Oklahoma State University and graduated with a degree in Industrial Technology. 

He married his childhood sweetheart, Betty J. Cardin on August 28, 1947 and celebrated 65 years of marriage.  They made their home in Nowata before moving to Chickasha in 1999 to retire and be closer to their only child, Ranee Deplois Hayes.

 Ed spent his life serving the Lord.  He served his church in many capacities over the years including song leader, Sunday school teacher, choir member, Deacon, Elder and any other job that needed to be done.  He served his community as Mayor of Nowata, County Excise Board, school bus driver, as well as President of Oklahoma Trade and Industry.  He loved gardening, cracking pecans he gathered himself to share with friends, fishing with Ron Wood at Howard Victery’s pond and big hugs from good friends.  He was a master carpenter and built houses from the ground up along with cabinetry and furniture.  He taught carpentry/building trade at Nowata High School and Tri-County Technology Center.  He retired in 1988 but he kept busy doing carpentry jobs for family and friends.

Ed also served in the United States Army in counter intelligence corp and was stationed in Nagano, Japan from 1943 to 1946. 

To know Ed was to know a true Christian and a child of God.  He spent his life serving the Lord and loving people.  He walked quietly among us lending a helping hand and encouraging word to all and anonymously providing help to those in need.  He was a role model to those who knew him and a true picture of what kindness represents and we are all better for having known him.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; wife Betty; brother and sister-in-law Otto and Velma Deplois; nephew Bob Deplois.  He was survived by his daughter, Ranee Hayes of the home; Nephew Albert and wife Gail of Owasso; Niece Regina and husband Brad Stapleton of Bartlesville; and several great nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by close friends Roger and Elisa Collier of Nowata; Eula “Butch” Franklin of Nowata; Don and Cathy Simer of Chickasha; and a host of special friends in both Nowata and Chickasha.

No services will be held, however, memorials may be made in his honor to Parkview Christian Church Women’s Ministries, PO Box 279, Chickasha, OK 73023.Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home and condolences to the family my be expressed at www.ferguson-funeralhome.com.