Clester Odell Harrington

With profound love and deep reverence, we honor the extraordinary life of Clester Odell Harrington, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and legendary basketball coach, who peacefully entered the arms of his Heavenly Father on May 16, 2025, at the age of eighty-nine.
Born on November 28, 1935, in a two-bedroom log cabin in Pine Hollow, Oklahoma, to Grady and Bertha Harrington, Clester grew up with a steadfast work ethic and an unwavering spirit. Basketball was his passion from the start-an All-State player in 1954 under the legendary Coach Bob Brumley at McAlester High School. His talent carried him to the University of Tulsa, where he played for the iconic Coach Clarence Iba from 1956 to 1958. During this time, he ranked among Tulsa's all-time top rebounders.
On August 11, 1956, Clester married his beloved Patty Allford at the First Baptist Church of McAlester, beginning a 68-year love story that blessed them with three cherished children: Bruce, Kevin, and Tracey. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, family, and service-moving from Tulsa to Wetumka, then Edmond, before
finally planting deep roots in Altus, Oklahoma.
For 40 remarkable seasons, Coach Harrington dedicated his life to molding young athletes, not just as players, but as men of character. He led 11 different teams to the state tournament, transforming the Altus Bulldogs into a powerhouse program in the 1970s and 80s. His legacy was so profound that in 2016, Altus honored him by naming its gym floor "Clester Harrington Court."
A Hall of Famer in every sense, Clester was enshrined in the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Beyond the court, Clester was a man of deep faith, serving as a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Altus, where he participated in the Men's Sunday School Class in Adult 4. He found joy in simple pleasures-golfing with friends, playing dominoes at church, and retreating to his beloved Hicks Mountain Coach's Corner Cabin. Yet, his greatest happiness came from traveling with family and friends, weaving a lifetime of memories with those he held dear.
Clester's life was a testament to love, integrity, and unwavering kindness. He never met a stranger, and those who knew him were forever touched by his generosity, wisdom, and infectious joy. His legacy lives on in every life he shaped, every heart he lifted, and every soul he inspired to push beyond limits.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Grady and Bertha Harrington; in-laws, Ben and Edith (Strange) Allford; son-in-law, David Levy; and brother-in-law, Lee Roy Autry.
He leaves behind a legacy of love through his devoted wife, Patty; son, Bruce and wife Janet; son Kevin and wife Suzanne; daughter, Tracey Cravens; sister, LaFaye Autry; grandchildren, Koby and wife Sarah, Blake, Ali, Beau, and Catherine; great-grandchildren, Jacob and Grant; sisters-in-law, Billye Ben Cappo and husband Massimo; Sharon DePriest and husband David; nieces, nephews, and a host of beloved friends and former players who will forever carry his spirit forward.
Donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, Altus, Oklahoma.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 21, at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the First Baptist Church of Altus, with Dr. Jeff Moore and Pastor Doug Altom officiating.
Though the final buzzer has sounded on his earthly journey, Coach Harrington's lessons, love, and legacy will forever echo in the lives he touched. Rest well, dear coach. Your game was masterful, and your heart was unmatched.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7
Services have been entrusted to Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.