David Harrison Rath

He spent his childhood in and around Hollis, Oklahoma, where his father worked as a farm laborer. As the youngest of six children, he held a special place in his mother’s heart, and their bond lasted all his life.

David graduated from Hollis High School, where he excelled at both baseball and basketball. He was most proud of the HHS basketball team he played on as a senior.

David began his career farming and ranching in Harmon County. Later, he started a second career in the car business. Over the years, he owned, managed, and sold for several dealerships in western Oklahoma. He loved his customers and was recognized as the Oklahoma Quality Dealer of the Year in 2004. He retired from his dealership, Mainstreet Motors in Altus, Oklahoma, in 2011.

David was an avid gardener and landscaper and liked nothing better than working hard all day, then sitting on the porch in the evening, admiring his work. David and his wife, Judy’s home at Lake Lugert/ Altus was a manicured showplace. They lived there until moving to Yukon, Oklahoma, in 2023, and have enjoyed the proximity to family and friends along with a view from the back porch that David says, “Reminds me of Vinson”.

David was a loving and supportive father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. David is survived by his wife, Judy Hall Rath; son, Larry Rath and wife Kathryn of Springdale, AR; daughter, Debbie Sparks and husband Wayne of Oklahoma City, OK; Chance Richardson of Emond, OK, Tara Tims and husband Todd of Norman, OK; and grandchildren, David Rath and wife Kala of Fayetteville, AR; Allyson Rath of Fayetteville, AR; Hunter Sparks and wife Chelsea of Piedmont, OK, and Chase Sparks and wife Addison of Yukon, OK; and 11 great grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Lawrence Rath and Bessie Warner Rath; brothers, John H. Rath, Lawrence Rath Jr., and Billy James Rath; sisters, Martha Elizabeth Rath, Janet Rath, and Betty Faye Rath Himes..