Services today for attorney C.D. Northcutt

Longtime Ponca City attorney C.D. Northcutt passed away in his sleep at his home in Ponca City, OK on Thursday, June 23, 2016, at the age of 99.

First Baptist Church, Ponca City, will host a celebration of his life at 1 p.m. Monday, June 27, 2016, in the Worship Center.

C.D. was born in Guin, AL to Walter and Essie Northcutt on July 7, 1916, his mother’s 20th birthday. His given name was Clarence Dewey and it was always easy to know a person was from his younger years because they called him Clarence. However, he simply preferred to be called C.D.

He was the oldest of 10 children, seven sons and three daughters. While he was still an infant, his family moved by train to share crop at a farm in Lexington, OK. C.D. grew up on "the farm" and attended Lone Star School, a one-room schoolhouse. Upon graduation from Lexington High School, he attended The University of Oklahoma and worked his way through school there.

He graduated from Law School when he was 20 years old, but had to return to the farm to pick cotton and await his 21st birthday to be eligible to take the Oklahoma Bar Exam. For this reason, he always referred to himself as a "cotton pickin’ lawyer!"

C.D. moved to Ponca City to practice law in 1938. Dr. C.E. Northcutt, who was associated with the Niemann-Northcutt Clinic, hired him to be their office manager, which helped C.D. pay the bills as his law practice became established.

On May 25, 1941, he married Ruth Eleanor Storms at First Baptist Church in Norman, OK. They established their home in Ponca City, and she taught math at East Junior High School while he was away during World War II. C.D. served our country in the European Theatre as part of the VII Army, Field Artillery.

During his military service, he received a Bronze Star, Air Medal with Clusters, and five Battle Stars as well as attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. After the war, C.D. returned to practice law in Ponca City and said that his proudest moment in his law practice was when his brother, Paul, joined him as a partner in 1951.

C.D. was a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers as well as the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He was a member of the International Society of Barristers, past president of the Oklahoma Bar, and was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

C.D. was an avid Sooner fan and served in numerous leadership positions at The University of Oklahoma, including serving on the Board of Visitors of the Law Center Board, as a trustee of the Lew Wentz Foundation, and in the Academy of University Fellows.

His honors include being named Ponca City’s Outstanding Citizen in 1982 and being inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2001.

Many became aware of the part he played in helping Lydie Marland come back to Ponca City from the recent documentary movie, "High Stakes." He also co-authored a book about the Marland Mansion called "Palace on the Prairie." It always amazed him that he was an "author."

C.D. was an active member of First Baptist Church in Ponca City for over 78 years. He taught Sunday School for over 50 years and established a Business Men’s Sunday School Class during the 1950s. He also served the church as a Deacon, Superintendent of the Sunday School, and chairman of various committees through the years. He was faithfully in his "place" at church last Sunday, Father’s Day, because his Lord and His Church were a priority to him. Now, because of his personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we are sure C.D. is at rest today in his Heavenly Father’s arms. Upon entering Heaven, however, we are equally sure that his first words were, "I never thought I would be here so soon."

C.D. was greatly looking forward to July 7, when he would have actually been 100 years old. His family celebrated that birthday with a Reunion on June 11 attended by nearly 100 family members. He made it known that he wanted to live to be "107 and thirty minutes" because his own mother passed away at 107! He dearly loved his family and prayed for each of them by name daily.

C.D’s parents; his wife, Ruth Eleanor; his son, John Edward Northcutt; and his brothers, O.V., Bernice, Carol, N.B., and Paul; preceded him in death.

He and Gwen Walker Barton were married on Feb. 2, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Gwen; and her daughter, Carrie Tate and husband Stuart; grandchildren, Hannah Tate, Elizabeth Tate, and Andrew Tate; her son, Adam Stroud and wife Amanda; and grandchildren, Christian Stroud, Brooke Stroud, Gwendolyn Rose Stroud, Chris Root, Jessica Root, and Brock Root.

Other surviving family include his daughter, Gayle Young and her husband John; granddaughter, Marcy McConnell and husband, Randy; great-grandchildren, Micah McConnell and Gracie McConnell; grandson, Charlie Young and wife Carsha, great-grandsons, Brooks Young and Jace Thibodeaux; his daughter-in-love, Jen Andrews; grandson, Jeff Northcutt and wife Kelli; great-grandchildren, Jackson Northcutt and Jenna Northcutt; granddaughter, Julie Nephew and husband Michael; and great-grandchildren, Shelby Nephew and Austin Nephew.

C.D. is also survived by his youngest brother, Walt Northcutt; and his sisters, Rubye Scull, Evelyn Hull, and Jonni Noah; the grandchildren of Dr. C.E. Northcutt, Nancy Seely and David Northcutt; as well as numerous "favorite" nieces, nephews and friends as close as relatives.