Dennis Lee Statham
1937 – 2020
Dennis Lee Statham – Beloved husband, father and friend passed away on November 3, 2020. Born on October 27, 1937 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Dennis loved his childhood adventures in Bartlesville. He graduated as a Wildcat from College High in 1955 and loved going to the reunions over the years.
Family was incredibly important to Dennis. He carried that forward into each relationship and made all that knew him feel like family. Dennis rejoiced in the family he built with his best friend, Wanda Lynn Goodpasture, the most beautiful woman in the world. One of his greatest successes in life was the home that he and his wife made that was open to all who knew him and continued to be a gathering place for holidays, watch parties or just a place to sit and chat. He was so excited when they celebrated 60 years of marriage this past April.
His other remarkable milestone was his achievement of 51 years as an active CPA, practicing up until he died. Many of those years he had his own practice or was in a partnership, but year after year, did what he was good at and enjoyed, accounting. Dennis had a lighthearted approach to life that made him memorable to those that knew him or those he had just met. He was quick with a joke and fast with wit. He was a member of Rotary since 1971 when he became a charter member of the Capitol Rotary Club. He had more than 40 years of perfect attendance in Rotary and was the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow multiple times. He was a member of the Oklahoma City Executive Association for 26 years.
Dennis always loved sports. In his early years, he was a State Champion tennis player in Bartlesville. Dennis was incredibly proud of the years he spent coaching little league. He first started as a little league baseball coach while he was a college student. Then later as a father, he coached both little league baseball and football teams. Some of his proudest accomplishments came from his coaching years. Having graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1961, Dennis continued to be a lifelong Sooner fan. Dennis loved playing golf and watching golf. He was a major fan of the New York Yankees.
Dennis was a devoted husband and father, but it was his grandkids who really brought out his smile. Dennis almost never missed one of the events of his grandchildren whether it was a school assembly, sports game, concert, dance competition or play. Each night Dennis made sure his grandchildren knew he gently hung the moon for them to give them comfort and to light their way in the dark. He took great pride in being a moon hanger for his family. Dennis's approach to life was to always look for the good in people, because you will normally find what you are looking for. He had the capacity to make people feel like they were the most amazing people in the world. He sought to empower people through love and respect and never hold anyone back from being all that they could become.
He is survived by his wife Wanda and their six children by birth and by love, Sherri and Ken Chancellor, Kevin and Michaelle Statham and Suzann and Daniel Wade, all of Oklahoma City. He is also survived by his grandchildren Lindsey Chancellor and Mason Williams, Conrad Statham, Adam Chancellor, Madeline Wade, Carson Statham and Sean Wade, as well as many nieces and nephews and one older brother, Don. He is preceded in death by his mother Sue, his father Ellsworth and his younger brothers Jerry and Gary Statham.
Dennis is being laid to rest in a graveside service at Rose Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
Dennis enjoyed helping people, especially children in need. Donations can be made to the Infant Crisis Center of Oklahoma in his name.