Delbert Byrd Coulter

TSgt Delbert Byrd Coulter, USAF, born in Norman, Oklahoma on July 6, 1922, graduated from this life to spend eternity with his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ on October 26, 2017, at the age of 95. He was preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Della and his brother Elbert. As a young man Delbert quit school in 11th grade to help out on the family farm, but eventually earned his high school degree from Capitol Hill High School in 1963. He was patriotic to the core and loved America and answered the call to serve in WWII, serving with the 448th Bomb Group as a Flight Maintenance Gunner flying on the B-24 Liberator, in which one fateful mission he and his crew were shot down over Brussels, Belgium while on a combat mission fighting the Nazis. Delbert was blown out of the disintegrating B-24 as it plummeted to earth, killing all but 5 aircrew members. While unconscious and hurtling to earth to his own certain death his parachute miraculously deployed as by the very hand of God. Captured by the enemy, Delbert was forced to walk many miles in a death march and spent 14 months in a German POW camp until liberation of the POWs came at the end of the war. Delbert’s service to America earned him the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, POW Medal and the Oklahoma Cross of Valor, among the many awards and recognitions he received throughout his excellent life. After WWII Delbert settled into life in Oklahoma City and married his love and sweetheart, Myrna Haskin on December 21st, 1951. Delbert and Myrna built a wonderful life spending over 65 years together, and enjoying many special things like spending time with their friends, riding motorcycles together and so much more. Delbert and Myrna together deeply loved their children, George and Lisa. Delbert and Myrna never stopped serving America; they remained very active in veteran’s affairs and spent much time at the Oklahoma Capital lobbying legislators to pass bills to the benefit of veterans. In his career Delbert worked at OG&E starting as a lineman. He was a mechanical genius and he could fix or repair anything. He spent many hours in his own shop repairing friend’s cars when they needed it. He also went to night school at Oklahoma City University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. He became an accountant for OG&E, retiring after 37 years of faithful service. Delbert absolutely loved to go fishing and spent many happy days expertly angling. Myrna loved to go fishing with Delbert too. A deeply spiritual man, Delbert served the Lord Jesus Christ with all of his heart and did all he could to share God’s love with all people. He was a very loving man and was quick to tell people “I love you” in a way that left no doubt that he meant it. He was ordained as a deacon at the Baptist Temple Church in 2011 and was ever faithful to pray, go to Sunday school, and attend worship services. He faithfully served the Lord as long as he was able to do so. Delbert’s surviving relatives include Myrna, his beloved wife of over 65 years, son George of Oklahoma City and daughter Lisa of Bonita Springs, Florida, his sister Betty Miller and her children and grandchildren, nieces Cherry Wieland and Janet McEwin and their families, nephews Fred and Brooks Hall and Dale Waller of California. Delbert leaves behind many friends and people who loved, admired and respected him very deeply. Viewing for Delbert will be on Sunday, October 29 from 2-4 P.M at the Chapel Hill Funeral Home. Life celebration will be at the Baptist Temple Church, 2433 NW 30th St. at 1:00 P.M., Reverend Joe Sinko officiating. Grave side service will immediately follow at Chapel Hill with full military honors at the grave side by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. All are welcome to come and honor this WWII American hero who has now slipped the surly bonds of earth, put out his hands and touched the face of God.