Charles Melvin Gottfried

Charles Gottfried, 93 passed away in his home in Stillwater on March 1, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Arrangements are under the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater. Funeral service will be held at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 1:00pm. Interment will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry, Oklahoma. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 9:00am to 8:00pm and Sunday, March 4, 2018 from 1:00pm to 6:00pm and family greeting guest from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Gottfried Jr., Josh Gottfried, Larry Hoggatt, Greg Helfenbein, Tony Gottfried, and Hunter Gottfried. Honorary Pallbearers are his sons and Steve M. Helfenbein.

Charles Melvin Gottfried was born on September 22, 1924 in Merridian, Oklahoma to Midus and Elsie (Jenkins) Gottfried. He grew up in the Tryon area. He married the love of his life, Ada Shelton on December 30, 1944 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. They celebrated 69 years together before she preceded him in death.

He worked very hard to provide a home for his family. His work sometimes, 2 or 3 jobs at a time, took him to many places around the US, but Oklahoma was always home. He would come home from work on any given evening and say “mom, jobs movin’ pack up the house and the kids.” And the adventure would begin. He built the family home in Perry Oklahoma. A cozy 2 bedroom for his family in late 50’s and he and Ada raised 6 rowdy boys and 3 girls there.

He was known as a man with hands of steel and a heart of gold. Mommy as he called her was on dialysis for many years. 3 days a week you would find him up at 3:30 am getting her ready for the day and the trip into town for her treatment. He would put her favorite blanket in the dryer to warm it through then he would take it out, fold and roll it tightly and place it in her bag. When the nurses took it out of the bag it was still warm and cozy for her. It was like he was holding her in a big hug.

He answered to many names, such as Charlie to his friends, Old Man to his kids, but his favorite name was Grandpa. When he heard that name his eyes would light up and a smile would spread from ear to ear. Upon meeting his grandchildren for the first time he would always say “I believe this one’s a keeper.” Later he would fill those grandkids with chocolate and Pepsi and send them home with little chocolate faces for mom and dad to try to contain until the sugar rush was over. This was one of his joys in life and he did this with all of his grandchildren.

When asked about his hobbies the only answer he would give was his family they were his hobby and his life. When he wasn’t picking on mom, or teaching his children the life lessons he was taught, he was spoiling grandchildren or telling stories of the “good old days” growing up with all of his brothers and sisters and getting lessons from his mom and dad that he passed on to his children and grandchildren.

He loved his yard. It was his pastime to keep it manicured and perfect, but he also enjoyed just sitting on his swing and watching his great grandchildren run around outside or play fetch with his old cocker spaniel.

He was the type of man that most men aspire to be, tough, honest, funny, gentle, loving, proud and never forgotten. He made his mark on this world and it is a better place to be because he was in it.

Charles is survived by eight children, Leonard Gottfried and wife, Lori of Evanston, WY, Kathy Jack and husband, Tommy of Perry, Oklahoma, Floyd Gottfried and wife, Melba of Tryon, Oklahoma, Ron Gottfried and wife, Rowena of Stillwater, Oklahoma, David Gottfried and wife, Linda of Calumet, MI, Karen Helfenbein of Carney, Oklahoma, Jerry Gottfried of Aztec, NM, Charles Maxwell of Stillwater, Oklahoma; 35 grandchildren; 83 great granchildren; 27 great great grandchildren; one sister, Ginger Garringer of Perry, Oklahoma; two brothers, Cecil Gottfried of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Leon Gottfried of Perry, Oklahoma.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Ada Gottfried; two daughters, Judy Gottfried, Betty Kendrick; one son, Kenny Gottfried; granddaughter, Carrie Gottfried; grandson, Bobby Gottfried; and one great-granddaughter, Kristin Vance; five sisters; and three brothers.