David Wallace Dollarhide

“I am a lucky man!” David Dollarhide wrote on a whiteboard just a few days before he passed from this life. He wrote the words because he was unable to speak due to illness and wrote them without hesitation when asked to sum up how he felt in those most difficult of days. These words perfectly illustrate how he lived, with resilient hope, faith, and gratitude, through both glorious and painful times.

David Wallace Dollarhide, loving husband, father, Papa, and loyal friend, passed away at the age of 77 on April 22, 2022, surrounded by his family. David was born on July 18,1944 to Margaret Claire and Lewis Dollarhide in Oklahoma City. He spent his early years there and then in Muskogee where he graduated from Muskogee Central High School. He then attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with a degree in English. David’s high school “Rougher” friends & his Sigma Nu fraternity brothers at OSU remained his lifelong friends. These friendships were so dear to him through the years. It was at OSU where he met his wife, Vicki Lasater, on a blind date. It may sound cliche, but it truly was love at first sight and the beginning of 55 beautiful years together. They started their married life in Tulsa where their first son, Kirk, was born.  Shortly thereafter, they moved to Norman for graduate school at OU and had their second son, Rob, two years later. From that time on, Norman remained their home.

David went to work for the University of Oklahoma as a Development Officer involved in fundraising. He spent many great years there before taking a position at First National Bank in Oklahoma City where he served as Senior Vice President.  He served at the bank until the bank’s closure and then became a financial advisor with what is now RBC Wealth Management where he spent the rest of his professional life.  He served each of these professions with integrity and a hard work ethic and truly enjoyed and was proud of the work he did. For David it was always the friends and relationships he made along the way in these professions that meant the most to him.  His colleagues, coworkers and clients became lasting friends. One of his colleagues called the family during David’s illness and paid him a beautiful tribute.  He said that sometimes you meet someone who greatly impacts your life and that was David for him. He said David “taught him how to treat people”.

David lived his life joyfully and with thoughtful reflection. His family meant everything to him. There was nothing he loved more than being with them. He was always there for us, loving, guiding, and taking delight in every moment. The things he passed on to us have shaped our lives and become part of who we are - love of nature and the wonder of the universe, love of music, humor (he made everything fun), love of learning and a passion for it. David loved backpacking, hiking, running, reading - always had a book in hand. Music was the backdrop of his life and he loved to make us laugh. He was a constant writer of beautiful texts, letters, and notes to people he loved and cared about. 

David lived a life of grace and goodness and left a legacy of loving kindness. He was a very spiritual person and lived his life with intentionality. He knew life was precious and never took a moment for granted.  He was always in search of finding meaning in his life and committed to living a life that reflected his beliefs of love for one another, compassion, tolerance, and always kindness. He told his grandchildren, “You know what’s right. Do it and you will never go wrong.” He was guileless, unpretentious, and a true gentleman. He faced the end of his life with gratitude, courage, dignity, and an unending sense of humor. He inspired us all just by his presence among us. 

David considered himself a “lucky man”, but we are the lucky ones - all of us who shared the journey with him and knew the love of David Wallace Dollarhide.

David was preceded in death by his loving parents and grandparents, Peggy and Lewis Dollarhide, Rosa Dollarhide, and Creekmore and Corrine Wallace. He is survived by his wife, Vicki; sons, Kirk (Amy) and Rob (Wendi); grandchildren, Grace, Keagan and Connor; siblings, Chuck (Pat), Patty (James) Bovay, Mike (Laura); sisters-in-law, Bobby (Pittman) McGehee, Deb (Jeff) Greene; as well as his beloved aunt, cousins, nieces, nephews and the dearest of friends. 

The family would like to thank the wonderful medical teams, caregivers, and therapists at Mercy Hospital, Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital, and Good Shepherd Hospice for their loving care, and especially Dr. Thomas Merrill and Pam Levy for always being there for David.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to commemorate his life, please consider a donation to one of the many charities dear to David’s heart. Some of those that he was most passionate about were Positive Tomorrows of Oklahoma City, Bridges in Norman, Food & Shelter in Norman, First Congregational Church of Norman, and organizations that are working to fight climate change such as the Natural Resources Defense Council.