Carl N. Provence, 90, died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, December 1, 2024. He was born September 11, 1934, in Beggs, and attended school in Okmulgee, graduating in 1952. Services were held in Stillwater on December 7; this day was always meaningful to Carl because he was seven years old on Pearl Harbor Day.
After high school, Carl attended Oklahoma A&M, earning a degree in Engineering. But he most enjoyed the social aspects of college: sports, music and meeting his wife, Grace. He and Grace were married 68 years. He was a member of Kappa Sigma, and played every year in the Varsity Review shows on campus. As a senior in college, he obtained his Air Force Commission through the ROTC, then earned his private pilot license as well.
Daddy Bear, as he was affectionately called, loved to play sports, play music and play bridge. He excelled in basketball, as a softball pitcher and a racquetball player.
He and Grace married in 1956. While serving in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in France, Grace and Carl’s son Paul David was born in 1960. His interest in photography began at this time, providing many photographs and slide shows through the years.
The family moved to Denton, Texas, where daughter Page was born in 1961. In 1964, they made Stillwater their permanent home.
At heart, Carl was both an entertainer and educator. He completed a Masters Degree in Computer Science from Oklahoma State University in 1972. He was a gifted and intelligent man, and a lifelong learner. He had been invited to join Mensa.
Carl always loved visiting with people and had a great sense of humor. He worked in the insurance business and taught classes at OSU. For many years, until declining health prevented it, he provided all photography needs for Fisher Provence Realtors in addition to shepherding the locating, placing and retrieving of thousands of real estate signs.
He took care of his family well and was careful to teach them all he knew. He reminded all the children to “be circumspect.” Many family dinners and card games were enjoyed through the years. Throughout his adult life, he paid special care to look after his mother, Nina Provence.
Carl had a special gift for music, and he was September 11, 1934 – December 1, 2024
often called upon to use his piano playing talents. Using only 4×6 notecards, he would entertain people for hours, mostly playing by ear. He was always a welcome addition to bands, or as an accompanist. During his children’s youth, he was the church pianist.
His athletic skills were appreciated in high school, college and in his later years as he continued playing softball in the senior league. At Oklahoma A&M in the early 50’s, Henry Iba saw him excelling in the intramural league and invited him onto the A&M basketball practice squad. In 1951, while in high school, he pitched three shutouts and was named outstanding player of the tournament when his Okmulgee softball team won the National Youth Softball Championship. His fastball was impossible to hit. As an adult, he competed in racquetball, and one of his friends gave him a t-shirt that said, “Ask me about my kill shot.”
Throughout his adult life, he enjoyed his bridge-playing friends and his cats. He also stayed in regular contact with his high school graduating class. He was always up for fun and activities provided they didn’t start before 11 a.m.
He was predeceased in death by his father, Barton Rogers Provence, his mother, Nina Provence and his son, Paul David Provence. He is survived by his wife, Grace, brother Jim Provence (Cindy), daughter Page (Jim George) and daughter-in-law Jeanette Provence. He is survived by grandchildren Kelsey Kelly (Austin), Mitchell Provence, Averi Blackmon (Jerett), Jill Cooper and Heather Cooper. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren.
Carl’s legacy of stories, friendship, love, and support will live on in the hearts of his family and all who knew him.
Memorial donations can be made in Carl’s name to Oklahoma Special Olympics, 6835 S. Canton Ave., Tulsa, OK 74136 or OSU Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 3014 W. 44th St. Stillwater, OK 74074.
For an online obituary, visit www.dightonmarler. com/obituaries/ carl-provence.
