Obituary for Charles Clegg

Charles Wayne Clegg

January 8, 1939 – September 7, 2023

Charles Wayne (Charley) Clegg, died peacefully on September 7, 2023 in his room in Memory Care, Spanish Cove Retirement Community, at the age of 84.

Charley was born in Weir, Kansas, January 8, 1939 to Glenn Frank Clegg and Lavon Ernestine (Cignetti) Clegg. Charley grew up a “farm boy” on the family farm in Mindenmines, Missouri where he acquired the attributes of hard work and discipline that served him throughout his life. He attended schools in Mindenmines and Pittsburg, Kansas graduating from Pittsburg High School in 1956. While in high school Charley met his soulmate and love of his life, Ona Mae Arnold when they were 16 years old. They were married in 1959 and were blessed with the birth of two daughters, Christi and Debra.

Charley graduated from Kansas State College of Pittsburg, now called Pitt State University, in 1959. He proudly served as an MP (Military Police) in the United States Army. Charley and Ona moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was employed by Bottenfield’s Beauty Supply and later at General Tire and Rubber Company. Charley, Ona and the girls moved to Ponca City in 1966 when he started a job with Conoco Oil Company and moved up the corporate ladder until retiring as Supervisor in PMI Department. Always known to have a smile on his face and a kind word, he never knew a stranger.

Charley was a deeply committed follower of Jesus Christ and a proud and devout member of Ponca City First Baptist Church where he served in many capacities and touched many lives. Charley was a Sunday School teacher, deacon, youth group leader and served on several committees, just to name a few of his roles. He especially loved going on youth and bell choir tours, and to Falls Creek as a counselor to teens. Charley provided wise counsel to many and was honored by First Baptist as Deacon Emeritus in 2020.

Upon retirement, Charley and Ona enjoyed spending time with their loving grandchildren and traveling with his younger sister, Mary and husband Dave Morrison. Charley loved to stay busy gardening around the house and maintaining a beautiful lawn. He enjoyed golfing with his buddies, snow skiing in Colorado and water skiing with friends on Lake Tenkiller.

Charley and Ona moved to Spanish Cove Retirement Community in Yukon, Oklahoma in 2019 where they established a new home and made many friends. He also loved to garden around the campus at the Cove.

Charley was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ernie (Tommy) and wife Joyce, and his precious great grandson, Holland. He is survived by his wife Ona and daughters, Christi Eischen and husband Pete of Fairview, Oklahoma, Debra Bellmard and husband Ken of Ponca City; grandchildren Whitney Dion and husband Nic of Edmond, Oklahoma, Taylor Elliot and wife Ashley and great grandson, Arlo of Morrison, Colorado, Chad Elliott of Oklahoma City and Dylan Bellmard, of Oklahoma City.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 218 South 6th Street in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 10:15 AM. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be made to First Baptist Church, 218 S 6th St, Ponca City, OK 74601 and Traditions Hospice, 14324 North Western Ave., Edmond, Oklahoma 73013, who lovingly cared for Charley the last week of his life.

Source: Trout Funeral Home