Dean Courtright

Dean E. Courtright, 82, Perry, OK, died December 24, 2025 at his home surrounded by loved ones.

Public viewing will be from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, January 1, 2026 at Dighton Funeral Home in Perry. The family will greet guests from 6-8 p.m. Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2026 at the First Bank Event Center in Perry. Interment will follow in McGuire Cemetery, Lucien, will full military honors followed by a gathering of family and friends at the American Legion Hall in Perry.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or the charity of the donor's choice in care of Dighton Marler Funeral Home. Dean was the youngest of six children born to Edward Harold and Bessie Rosiebell (Redfearn) Courtright. He was born July 19, 1943 in Stillwater, OK. Dean attended Eureka and Glencoe schools and was a member of the Glencoe High School graduating class of 1962. He served his country in the United States Army from November, 1962-November,1965, achieving the rank of E4 before his honorable discharge. On March 19, 1965, he and Sharon Joy Maier were married in Coeur d' Alene, ID. They lived in Tacoma, WA until moving to Perry, OK in November, 1965. Dean was employed at Cockrum Conoco on the Perry square; Charles Machine Works, where he was a welder; Farmers Co-op, Shephard Refrigeration, Wurtz and Wurtz Motor Company and the Perry Fire Department before becoming an oilfield employee, working for Dresser-Atlas, Operators, Inc., Mesa and Sullivan. He and Sharon were employed several years as custodians at Ellis-Jirous American Legion Hall, Perry Carnegie Library and Perry’s First Presbyterian Church.

He was later employed in the Noble County Assessor's office and worked as a custodian for Noble County District 2 before he successfully ran for the office of Noble County Commissioner, District 2. He served three terms as Commissioner before retiring in 2009. While an oilfield pumper in the Coyle community, Dean became friends with Ed and Alene Hopkins and their grandchildren, Laura, Janice and Rick. After retiring, he began assisting Janice Hopkins on Coyle community farmland she inherited from her grandfather. Later, he became a father-figure and mentor for Janice’s son, Eddie.

Dean enjoyed spending time with family and friends, watching sports on television and creating wire scorpions that he gifted to family and friends. He was a member and former Commander of Ellis-Jirous American Legion Post 53 of Perry and a former member of the Perry Lions Club. He served as chair of the board of Wheatheart Nutrition Center for 22 years. Dean and Sharon spent many enjoyable hours riding their Honda Gold Wing, traveling with friends Richard and May Dunford to every state west of the Mississippi and two provinces of Canada.

In addition to his wife, Sharon, survivors are sons, Michael Dean and his wife, Dana, and Shawn Anthony and his wife, Melanie; granddaughters, Kayla Crews and husband, Troy, Skyler Lowery and husband, Jacob, and Myriah Bargas and husband, Aaron; grandsons, Nathan Courtright and wife, Molly, Matthew Courtright and wife, Brianna, and Austin Courtright; great-grandchildren, Destiney Crews. Kayson Courtright Young, McKinley Bargas, Audriana Bargas, Jameson Akins, Aaron Bargas, Emerson Akins, Aurora Bargas, Wyatt Lowery, Wesley Lowery, Ellis Courtright and Noah Dean Courtright; brothers-in-law, Kevin Maier and wife, Ann, Gary Maier and Marty Maier and fiancée Denise Garber; sisters-in law, Lori Parker and husband Lee, Pauline Maier, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and his loyal Boston Terrier, Coulter. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Bessie Courtright; brothers, Ralph Courtright and Billy Ray Courtright Sr.; sisters, Gertie Wheatley, Darlene Kuhn and Nina Eyl; parents-in-law, Virgil and Vera Maier; brothers-in-law, Darrell Maier, O.L. “Sonny” Wheatley, James Kuhn and Frank Eyl; sisters-in-law, Melinda Courtright and Ella Rose Courtright; great-grandson, Tanner Courtright; daughter-in-law. Darla Kae Warren Courtright; nieces, Valerie Eyl Babcock and Neinuth Eyl Luu and nephews, Alex Maier, Randy Courtright, Aaron Courtright, Billy Ray Courtright Jr., John Horstman and Billy Eyl.