Dennis Ray Lungstrum, 77, of Tahlequah OK, passed away on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at the Tahlequah City Hospital.
Dennis was born on April 17th, 1947, in Topeka KS, to Wilma Elane (Redmond) Lungstrum.
He graduated from Poteau High School in 1965, Eastern Oklahoma State College in 1967, attended Oklahoma State University and graduated from Northeastern State University in 1970 competing in track and field at all of them. He married Janice Annette Davis on July 9, 1970 (54 years). He taught history, music, social studies and coached in the public school system both in Missouri (Cass-Midway) and Oklahoma (Westville, Keota, Pocola and Heavener) for 30 years. As one of his students, you would have to copy his notes from the chalk board as they were written (which was what you needed for his tests) and then turn those in as your assignment. Later, when computers became a thing, he had to have his students put their grades in the computer for him. Coaching was his passion, especially track and field, in which he had multitudes of state finalists and state champions many of whom went on to compete collegiately. During the summers his coaching included taking his children to compete in the AAU summer track and field program. After coaching during his retirement, he continued to officiate track meets for several years in multiple locations (high school, Armed Forces track and field at Fort Sill). He was not a complicated person and did not like complicated things, whether computer, cell phone or mechanical things.
He loved gardening and it was more than just a hobby or past time, it was also food (squash, okra, tomatoes, potatoes and so much more). He loved woodworking, whittling was his specialty. Not just knick-knacks, but beautifully crafted ornaments, puzzles, alphabet blocks for the grandkids, Celtic spoons and knots and many other types wooden chains, balls in a box and more. All of which was on display at the famers market or that could be pulled out of storage boxes at moment’s notice if you were at their house.
He obeyed the gospel as a teenager and being a servant to his Lord was first in his life. He enjoyed participating in worship by leading prayers, leading singing, leading bible classes and later in his retirement, preaching wherever a congregation needed help. As indicated by his coaching career, he moved his family to many places. In all those places he was a part of the Lord’s work.
He loved joke storytelling (like the three-legged pig, the long horn steer, Oscar the rabbit, the three legged chicken and the story of falling rock). If you happened to sit by him at some event like a family reunion or gathering of some sort, he would ask you if you had ever heard of… and then proceed to tell you the 30 min joke and when the punch line hit, you were just done.
He had a short singing career during college where he was a member of a quartet singing folk songs. He could play the guitar and the piano. He taught several people how to play the guitar one of which went on to be a professional.
Dennis was preceded by his mother Wilma Elane (Redmond) Lungstrum and father Ralph Jack Lungstrum.
He is survived by his wife Janice Annette (Davis) Lungstrum of the home, daughter Tonya Swim and husband Kent of Tahlequah, sons Robert Lungstrum and wife Kathie of McAlester, TJ Lungstrum and wife Sarah of Fulton, Missouri. Grandchildren Autumn Lungstrum, Meadow Lungstrum, Matthew Lungstrum, Finley Swim, Ellington Swim. Sisters: Joan Edwards, Cheryl Tennell and husband Jim; brother Carl Lungstrum and wife Selena, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Pallbearers: Denton Mead, Ollie LaGrande, Ollie LaGrande, Jr, Welsey LaGrande, Matthew Lungstrum, Joe Ryan Kiger
Honorary Pallbearers: All of his former students and athletes
Graveside Service for Dennis Ray Lungstrum, 77 of Tahlequah, Oklahoma will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Howe Cemetery in Howe, Oklahoma with Minister David Bailey, officiating. Burial will follow at Howe Cemetery in Howe, Oklahoma under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.
You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.
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