James Denny Bartell

b. August 21, 1932 d. May 25, 2026

Few people get to live their lives on their own terms as completely as Denny Bartell did. He was a big man with a big personality who gave generously to the people, projects and institutions he loved. Denny was blessed with deep intellect, a phenomenal memory and a wonderful sense of humor. A commanding raconteur, his endless colorful stories were filled with exceptional details from the span of his 93-year life.

Denny was first and foremost an independent oil and gas man. For more than 65 years he formed various partnerships and successfully explored the Gulf Coast, East Texas, and even as far away as Utah. Ever the consummate Wildcatter, Denny saw opportunity where few others did, never seeing obstacles as impediments, but only hurdles to overcome. He was an incurable optimist.

James Denny Bartell was born August 21, 1932, in Guthrie, Oklahoma to Madeline Olson Bartell and Lawrence Denny Bartell. The young family, soon welcoming a baby brother, Charles Frederick, followed the burgeoning East Texas oil trade (Larry’s profession as an early employee of Skelly Oil Company) from Longview to Dallas before more permanently relocating to Shreveport, LA, where Denny graduated from C. E. Byrd High School in 1950. (“Zzzzt! Sting ‘em, Yellow Jackets!”)

His next move proved to be the most fortuitous and significant choice he ever made: Denny went to Oklahoma University in Norman, OK. The greatest gifts of his long life were found there: he met his soon-to-be-bride, Dixie Deupree, forged truly lifelong friendships, and earned a rock-solid degree in Geological Engineering.

Proposing matrimony to her in the boughs of a giant oak tree, Denny and Dixie were soon married in her hometown of Oklahoma City in September 1954.

A two-year stint in the U.S. Army left an indelible scar on Denny. He didn’t suffer in combat duty in Korea; rather he served as KP in the Pine Bluff, AR mess hall. The man never ate a piece of chicken for the rest of his life.

Denny and Dixie moved to Houston, TX in 1956 where they were swept up in the challenges and enterprising atmosphere of early parenthood and the oil boom that was Houston. He was employed by Union Oil and Gas Corp of Louisiana as an exploration geologist until 1961. Not wanting their two children to have the uprooted lifestyle he endured, he left the nomadic nature of Union Oil and made the leap to go independent. He established Bartell Exploration in April 1961.

From the outset of his career, Denny’s enduring optimism, undeniable talent for oil and gas exploration and its inherent negotiations (as well as a heaping helping of Good Luck!) brought him success and helped him serve the many causes he devoted himself to, most significantly to his alma mater, Oklahoma University.

A forever champion of his beloved Sooners’ Athletics Teams, Denny, family, and friends attended the annual OU-Texas football rivalry for more than 50 seasons. Win or Lose, he was there for his favorite marching band, “The Pride of Oklahoma”!

In the early eighties, Denny was a founding fundraiser for the establishment of the Sarkeys Energy Center on OU’s campus which houses the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy. Later when he saw the need for students studying geosciences to have a field camp like he had access to in the 50’s, he secured a jewel: 180+ acres overlooking the Cañon City Embayment which encompasses the unique geology of the Royal Gorge region of Colorado. The Bartell Field Camp, opened in 2011 is a tremendous resource, now and forever, for students pursuing their earth science degrees.

In support of other interests near and dear to their hearts, Denny and Dixie favored OU’s outstanding Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art, and in 2018, honoring the lifelong relationships that sustained them, they spearheaded capital campaigns for improvements to Dixie’s Gamma Phi Beta sorority house, and he initiated the construction of a new Kappa Sigma Fraternity house on campus.

While his many affiliations with OU were important, in the long run, it was Denny’s relationships with individuals from all parts of life that mattered most to him. He genuinely wanted the best for everybody he cared for and it gave him immense pleasure to help whenever he could.

If he were still here, Denny would want to say Thank You one more time to the steadfast Dream Team that helped Dixie and him when they needed it most: Geno, Ditra, Michael, Genia, and Terry.

Denny was preceded in death by his parents and brother, his wife, Dixie, and their son, Larry, and far too many friends. Surviving him are his daughter, his daughter-in-law Patty Bartell, grandchildren James Bartell (Mallory), Ashley Scannell (Dan), Heather Roberts (Jonathan), and David Bartell (Elyse), and six (soon to be seven!) great-grandchildren.

Should your heart be moved, Gifts to OU’s Education Dept. or the Pride of Oklahoma Marching band can be made via the OU Foundation at https://home.oufoundation.org Boomer Sooner!

Denny will be laid to rest at Memorial Oaks Cemetery on Monday, June 1.

Friends and Family may gather at 10am before the service at 10:30am, and his burial at 11:30.