Lt. Col. Allan R. Castleberry

Lt. Colonel, USAF (Ret) Allan R. Castleberry, 86, died in Norman, Oklahoma after a life well lived. Allan was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on January 7, 1933 to Ray Gaillard and Betty June Castleberry.

He was a 1951 graduate from Rogers High School, where he excelled at football and baseball, earning All State Honors as a first baseman his senior year. After high school he attended Oklahoma A&M, was initiated into the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce in 1955. More importantly, he met his wife of 64 years, the former Eva McGee of Pauls Valley.

Shortly after graduating from Oklahoma A&M, Allan joined the United States Air Force, earning his flight wings in 1956 and moving on to a successful career as a pilot, receiving assignments to many of the Air Force’s top aircraft at the time including the B-47 Strato-Jet, the B-58 Hustler, and the F-4 Phantom. While serving in Vietnam and flying low-level high-speed reconnaissance missions, Major Castleberry earned the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After retiring from the Air Force, Allan held positions in the Savings & Loan business in Nebraska as well as numerous mortgage banking positions before moving to Norman to be closer to family. While Allan had a rewarding career in the military and financial services, his favorite job, and the one in which he will most be missed, was that of Grandpa to his three grandchildren.

At various stages of this life Allan was active in Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis Clubs, MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), Optimist Club, and was a 32nd degree Mason. He enjoyed golf, but more importantly enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially the coffee club at Homeland on Robinson and 24th.

Allan is survived by his wife Eva of Norman; son Richard and wife Katherine of Tulsa; son Robert and wife Robyn of Norman; granddaughter Clair Castleberry of Tulsa; and grandsons Colton and Connor Castleberry of Norman.

A remembrance reception will be held 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, July 1st at Tribute Memorial Care in Norman (708 24th Ave NW). Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, July 3rd at Pauls Valley Mount Olivet Cemetery.