David Thilsted

David Paul Thilsted was born to James and Lois Jean Thilsted in Alva, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of four children, joining his siblings Bonnie Jones, Mary Hamilton, and Jimmy Thilsted. He attended grade school and high school in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

David began working on the farm for Don and Norma Buffalo as soon as he was old enough to drive a tractor. In 1977, he began working for Mertz, a career that took him around the world, including to China, where he trained others and worked with seismograph machines.

In 1980, David married Debora Kay, and together they raised two children, Whitney Nichole Smith and Bryce Colby Thilsted. David was a proud papa to his 13 grandchildren: Gunner Pankratz; Brooks, Mack, Rad, and Bowie Thilsted; and Amanda, Ally, Seth, Paislee Mae, Kinzlee, Natalee, Grayson, and Tynzlee Smith. He loved watching his grandchildren grow up and play sports. He was especially proud of his granddaughter Amanda and her participation in the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

Having grown up on the water, David learned to barefoot waterski and developed a lifelong love of fishing. These were passions he later shared with his son and grandchildren, creating memories they will cherish for years to come.

David was an avid sports fan, with OU football always coming first, followed by OSU. He was also a devoted OKC Thunder fan and attended many games. When it came to the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs were his team.

A true jack-of-all-trades, David was very mechanical and could fix just about anything. He also loved to cook, especially preparing big meals for the holidays and bringing family together around the table. More recently, he enjoyed finding recipes on “Tic-Toc” and “Fazebook,” as he called them, and trying them out at home.

David found joy in the simple things in life, including watching the eagles at Lake Ponca and Kaw Lake and playing Farkle with his friends Emily and Butch. He also treasured conversations about the Bible with his older sister Mary and was proud to have been saved and baptized at First Free Will Baptist Church in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

David was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lois Jean Thilsted; Grandparents Pete and Freda Thilsted and Oral and Lois Hensley, his sister, Bonnie Jones; his brother, Jimmy Thilsted; and his nephew, Bobby Thilsted.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Debora Kay Thilsted, of Ponca City; his daughter -and son-in-law, Whitney and Cory Smith, of Boise City, Oklahoma; his son, Bryce Thilsted, and daughter-in-law, Alix McCallick, of Ponca City, Oklahoma; His sister and brother-in-law Mary and Randy Hamilton, of Alva, Oklahoma; brother-in-law Dennis Jones, of Decatur Illinois; his 13 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, his fur babies Shadow and Sadie; and many dear friends.

David will be greatly missed.

Visitation and Celebration of Life Public visitation will be held at Trout Funeral Home on Thursday, October 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the family receiving guests from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A celebration of David’s life will be held at First Free Will Baptist Church in Ponca City on Friday, October 30, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Free Will Baptist Church in Ponca City, Oklahoma.