If you ever spent an afternoon at Bradbury Commons, chances are you were invited to a game of Wahoo. And if you said yes, you probably stayed a lot longer than you planned. That was Marti.
Martha "Marti" Deadrick, 87, passed away on November 2, 2026, at Bradbury Commons in Ponca City, the place she called home in her later years, right next door to her sister Margie. Born December 15, 1938, in Altus, Oklahoma, Marti lived a life full of service, laughter, and a whole lot of love for others.
Marti proudly served her country for more than 20 years as an officer in the United States Air Force. When she hung up her uniform, she didn't slow down. She became a therapist with Catholic Charities, spending eight years helping people through some of the hardest moments of their lives. It was a natural fit. Marti had a soft spot for the underdog and a heart that went straight to anyone who was hurting.
She also had a knack for making people laugh, and a contagious laugh of her own that could fill a room. Her sense of humor was quick, sharp, and often a little mischievous, and it could turn a hard day into a good one.
Marti loved animals, and dogs most of all. Plenty of folks around Ponca City still remember Dundee and Goofy, who were never far from her side and never short on treats or affection. She was also a gifted woodworker, and the pieces she made with her own hands were a reflection of her patience and talent.
And then there was her sweet tooth. Marti never met a dessert she didn't like, and she was a happy regular at Perkins, where a good meal was always better with something sweet to finish it off.
But some of her best days were the simplest ones: sitting across the Wahoo board from Margie, the two sisters playing for hours, teasing each other and laughing like they were girls again. Anyone who wanted to join was welcome, and Marti made sure they felt it.
Marti was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Deadrick, and her sisters, Marge Parker and Jean Jensen. She leaves behind her nephew, Brad Parker, and her nieces, Camille Patterson and Michele Woolsey, along with many friends who will miss her kindness, her humor, and her open invitation to one more game.
Please join us on Saturday, November 21, 2026 from noon to 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 200 6th Street, in Ponca City for a lunch celebrating Marti's life. We'll be serving light bites and sharing great Marti stories, so bring your favorite one.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave #103, Ponca City, OK 74601.