Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
David Otterstrom Memoriam
June 10, 1946-Sept. 10, 2021
David Charles Otterstrom passed away at the age of 75 on Friday, September 10, 2021, as a resident of the Claremore Veterans Center. David was born on June 10, 1946, in Shreveport, LA, to Harold and Margaret Otterstrom. He was the third of nine children and cherished his family above all else. After the family moved to Tulsa, David put down deep roots. He graduated from Bishop Kelley High School and went on to earn his Master's degree in speech pathology from the University of Tulsa. He was an active duty serviceman in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
David was a lifelong learner and instilled this quality in his daughters. This love of learning led to him becoming an integral part of the Oklahoma State Department of Education where he was a school psychologist. He fought passionately for the rights of children and adults with special needs for his entire career in order to make the Oklahoma education system as equitable as possible for all.
David was a huge sports fan, especially NASCAR and football. He enjoyed playing poker with his brothers and all types of card games with the whole family. He loved taking road trips and hated scary movies (he, along with his brothers, had a soft spot for Hallmark movies). He was an avid reader; Louis L'Amour, Robert Asprin, and Anne McCaffrey were among his favorite authors.
He is survived by E. Dee Tabor and his daughters, Melanie Merle, Margaret Wheeler, and Megan Otterstrom; as well as his sisters, brothers, and their spouses: Judy and Rodger Randle, Jim and Karen Sue Otterstrom, Russell and Kitty Otterstrom, Janice and Monty Moeller, Bill Otterstrom, Mark Otterstrom and Roxanne Hutton, Gary and Meg Otterstrom, and Karen and Mitch Freeman. He has 3 grandchildren, Dylan Merle-Raeburn, Ryan Rahrig, and Lily Rahrig and was a loving uncle to 28 nieces and nephews.
The family will have a private memorial. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Habitat for Humanity.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Otterstrom
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in David Otterstrom's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for David Otterstrom
How to support David's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor David Otterstrom's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
