Harold Ray Couch

Harold Ray Couch was born March 2, 1935, in Haskell, OK, son of Dorothy Mae (Davenport) Cheatham and Tommie William Cheatham. He passed away on March 3, 2024, in Norman, OK after a brief illness.

Harold lived for several years when he was a young child with his sharecropping grandparents in Haskell, OK where he learned invaluable life lessons that influenced him throughout his life. He graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City in 1953 where he played football and enjoyed his high school years. On February 13, 1954, Harold married his beloved wife, Lucretia Ann Smith in a small ceremony in Oklahoma City. Harold and Lucretia met when they were 13 years old and enjoyed 70 years of marriage and love. Together, they raised three children, Terry, Mark and Krista from Wilmington, DE, to London, England to Ponca City, OK. He was a proud member of the US Navy reserve where he served for 6 years. Harold was a devoted and loving father who prioritized his Christian faith and family more than anything else. He was a dedicated husband and father, known for his presence at his children's sporting and school events, camping, lake and ski trips, and many other adventures centered on his family. He will be remembered by his family for his unique style of discipline – firm, loving and kind; being a fixer and problem solver around the house and with all things mechanical, his deep faith, wisdom and patience, laugh and how he never met a stranger. Harold’s homemade stew is legendary, and until recently the recipe was a well-kept secret.

After graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1960 with a degree in mechanical engineering, he and Lucretia moved to Ponca City, OK where he enjoyed a successful and lengthy career with Conoco for over 34 years. During his career he was involved with redesigning and improving refineries, designing and engineering oil platforms all over the world, including the United Kingdom/North Sea. He enjoyed playing in the company organized men’s volleyball league with his colleagues for many years as recreation. Harold was a dedicated and knowledgeable engineer who was admired and respected by his colleagues during his career at Conoco.

Harold was a proud OU alumni, supporter, and devoted fan of OU sports, especially football, women’s and men’s basketball and women’s softball. He and Lucretia were OU football and women’s basketball season ticketholders for many years and enjoyed cheering them on together. Harold’s career took him and his family to many locations, but home was Ponca City, OK where he raised his family as well as being a faithful and involved member at the Harford Avenue church of Christ for over 30 years. He and Lucretia enjoyed traveling across the United States, United Kingdom and Europe, boating, fishing, water and snow skiing, and particularly golfing with family and friends. One of his favorite vacations was an Alaskan cruise he took with Lucretia and close friends. Some of his most enjoyable time was spent at Lake Belle Taine in Nevis, MN with the same group of dear friends for several weeks every summer, as well as Colorado in the winter and summer. Harold enjoyed spending time working in his yard and is known for how well he maintained it and its beauty; he and Lu enjoyed many hours sitting in their backyard talking and relaxing. After retiring from Conoco and relocating to Norman, Harold was a faithful member of the Westside church of Christ and centered his life on God, family, and friends. He was unflinchingly generous, had a quick wit and hearty laugh and a deep well of unconditional love. Harold was a proud and loving grandfather and great-grandfather and treasured time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His loving and patient demeanor, as well as his faith, humor and wisdom will have a lasting impact on them all.

Survivors include his wife, Lucretia Couch of the home; two sons, Terry Couch and wife Billie Jean of Texarkana, TX; Mark Couch and wife Lori of Moore, OK; one daughter, Krista Curnutt and husband Brian of Fate, TX; two sisters, Francie Hodges and husband Keith of Huntsville, AL; and Sara Green of Norman, OK; grandchildren Melissa Couch-Hilliard of Norman, OK, Jesica Petty of Castle Rock, CO; Alyson Couch of Yukon, OK; Brady Couch and wife Andrea of Rush Springs, OK; Austin Castorino and wife Bridgitte of Midlothian, TX; Reid Curnutt of Denver, CO; Jon Curnutt and wife Kelly of Hendersonville, TN; Travler Couch of Texarkana, TX and nine great-grandchildren, River, Brooks, Kaylen, Ryatt, Justin, Jace, Roper, Riley, and Margaret; as well as numerous beloved cousins, niece and nephews.

Harold was a faithful follower of Christ, and we are confident he is rejoicing in heaven with the angels and precious loved ones. We are completely convinced he lived his life to the fullest that God created him to live and loved his wife and family with his entire heart and life. We are deeply saddened and will miss him, but we know that he is in the presence of the Lord.

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ Romans 8:38-39

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to the American Diabetes Association in his honor.

Honorary Pallbearers are Brady A. Couch, Ryatt A. Couch, Travler A. Couch, Austin D. Castorino, William R. Curnutt, Jonathan T, Curnutt, and River M. Anderson.