David Llewellyn Deffenbaugh; WWII veteran, recipient of Purple Heart, POW and numerous medals, was born January 27, 1923 to Emerson and Jane Deffenbaugh of Old Frame, PA. He was the youngest of 5 children, all of whom preceded him in death. He departed a life honorably lived at 6:30 PM on Tuesday November 6, 2018 surrounded by family.
His service will be on Monday, November 19, 2018 at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church of Claremore, located at 104 E. 4th Street, Claremore, OK.
He was raised on a family farm, where he learned the importance of family and community, thereby laying the groundwork for a lifetime of service. After graduating high school, David was drafted into the Army in 1943. During Army Specialized Training at Alfred University, he met his future wife, Carolyn Howe. After acceptance as an Aviation Cadet, while awaiting preflight training, the program was discontinued and he was reassigned into the 106th Infantry. They boarded the Queen Elizabeth to Glasgow, Scotland and eventually arrived in St. Vith, Belgium, the point of the infamous Battle of the Bulge. There his company suffered heavy losses and survivors were taken prisoner. He was wounded in battle, then transported to Stalag X1 B in Germany. In April of 1945, the camp was liberated and he was transferred by hospital ship to England.
He married Carolyn and began his life as an Insurance Executive, retired at age 55 and then bought his own agency in Claremore OK. His love of travel took him to all 50 states and abroad, spending weekends at Grand Lake.
He was extremely active in the First Presbyterian Churches of Tulsa and Claremore. He loved music and sang in barbershop quartets and the church choirs.
David’s commitment to service and family was evident as he was an integral part of his siblings’ affairs at the ends of their lives. David was Carolyn’s primary caregiver until she passed away.
In his many trips to PA, he was reacquainted with and then eventually married Eleanor Bixler of Smithfield PA. Her devotion to him was apparent to all who knew them. Eleanor’s ever-present care gave David boundless joy to the very end.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor, his 3 children, Karen Deffenbaugh of Vinita, Barbara and Vernon Seebaran of Garland TX, and Rick and Kim Deffenbaugh of Tulsa, Ok. 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
The family would like to acknowledge the amazing care given by the staff of St Simeon’s, Tulsa.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in David's name to either Home of Hope, P.O. Box 903, Vinita, Oklahoma 74301 or First Presbyterian Church, 102 E. 4th Street, Claremore, Oklahoma 74017.