Dwayne Herrmann

Gerold Dwayne Herrmann, 81, of Parkland, Oklahoma, passed away on the family farm-just a half mile from where he was born-leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, and hard work.

Dwayne was born on May 31, 1944, near Parkland, Oklahoma, on "the hill," to Carl Julius Herrmann and Bonnie Jewel (Howard) Herrmann. Raised on the family farm and in the Parkland General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, Dwayne learned early the values of labor, faith, and perseverance that would shape his entire life.

He attended Agra School until age nine, when his parents moved the family to Cushing in 1953. Dwayne graduated from Cushing High School in 1962, where he was an active member of FFA (serving as Treasurer), traveled for meats judging, and proudly represented Cushing at the National FFA Convention. He also played violin in the orchestra, was a member of the Senior National Honor Society and Varsity Scholars and was fondly remembered by classmates and teachers alike-especially his math and agriculture teachers, with whom he shared a friendship (despite the infamous "firecracker incident"). His yearbooks reveal that he was admired for his sharp mind and talent in mathematics and physics.

Dwayne attended Oklahoma State University for a year with the goal of becoming a math teacher. His life, however, took a more meaningful turn when he met the love of his life, Darlene, at the Pennsylvania Church of the Firstborn in April 1963. A few months later, he spotted her walking to the post office from Dale's Concession Stand and gathered the courage to call her at her Aunt Charlotte's home. He asked her to sit with him during the Fourth of July meetings at church in Parkland-and the rest is history. Their courtship included the first of a lifetime of German chocolate cakes made by Darlene, and after 18 months of dating, they were married on October 3, 1964.

Dwayne's early working life began at The Candy Factory in Cushing before moving on to Forsee Chevrolet, where he became a certified GMC mechanic. Eventually, he and Darlene operated a registered Holstein dairy, even traveling as far as Pennsylvania in their two-ton feed truck to bring home prized cattle-milking them out in parking lots along the way. When government controls forced the dairy to close, Dwayne refused to let it end in bankruptcy-a point of great pride. He transitioned instead to beef cattle, construction, and crop farming, working tirelessly to pay off every debt and preserve the family land.

Over the years, Dwayne maintained a beef cattle operation, raised goldfish, and worked in commercial construction as a carpenter and superintendent. Though he was offered many promotions, he always turned them down-preferring to work with his hands and be paid by the hour. He was a proud member (and later independent worker) of the Carpenters Union, leaving after being treated unfairly. Dwayne's craftsmanship can be seen in many of Oklahoma's most iconic buildings, including the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, Myriad Convention Center, Oklahoma City Botanical Garden, OU Medical Center, Baptist Medical Center, Lloyd Noble Center, and numerous facilities at Oklahoma State University, including Gallagher-Iba Arena, the Noble Research Center, and the OSU Library. For nearly 40 years, he commuted from Parkland to Oklahoma City and back-often working all day, then coming home to work the farm.

Even in retirement, Dwayne continued to build-structures, cabinets, additions, and projects of all kinds-without blueprints, relying only on his mind, measuring tape, square, and level. He didn't use a calculator or architect, preferring to do his math in his head.

Dwayne's hobbies were simple and rare, given how much he worked: firecrackers, car racing, water skiing, snooker and pool, noodling, fishing, hunting, and traveling to the mountains.

He was baptized by Brother Fred Britton into the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn on May 25, 2002-a moment of deep faith and commitment that reflected his lifelong devotion to God.

Dwayne was known for his unmatched work ethic, quiet humor, unwavering honesty, and moral steadiness. He never cussed, never drank, and led his family by example-through humility, persistence, and kindness.

As a father, Dwayne taught through doing-showing his children the value of diligence and integrity. As a PaPa, he was deeply loving, giving his grandchildren undistracted attention, making time for special trips, and always stopping whatever he was doing when "the babies" came around.

He was preceded in death by his parents and all six siblings: Eugene Herrmann, Elois Kirkpatrick, Alice Drake, Tennessee Crow, Alva Herrmann, and A.C. Herrmann; one son-in-law, Michael Ellis.

Dwayne is survived by his beloved wife, Darlene Herrmann; his children Travis Herrmann (Rachel), Sheila Ahuja (Roger), Kevin Herrmann (Jackie Catlett), and Michael Herrmann (Marissa); his grandchildren Kristen Bledsoe, Ashley Halbroeder, Danni Catlett, Madison Shannon, Macie Herrmann, Gerald Herrmann, Christopher Herrmann, Cali Catlett, Joshua Herrmann, and Rapha Herrmann; and great-granddaughter Amelia Shannon.

Dwayne's life was defined by love-for his family, for his work, and for the land he cared for from birth to his final day. His hands built not only homes and barns, but a life full of purpose, faith, and quiet strength.

Arrangements for Dwayne Herrmann have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home. Viewing will be available on Monday, November 10, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Palmer Marler Funeral Home with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Parkland General Assembly & Church of the Firstborn, 345862 E. 810 Rd., Agra, OK 74824. Burial will immediately follow at Parkland Cemetery in Parkland, OK.

To send a flower arrangement in memory of Dwayne Herrmann, please click here to visit our sympathy store.