Denzil Edward Oswalt, 72, longtime banker and resident of Tulsa died January 10, 2015 due to complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Denzil had been diagnosed with ALS in 2010.
He was born January 10, 1943, in Muskogee, OK to Edward Samuel Oswalt and Geraldine Frances Oswalt. He grew up in Stillwater and Chickasha, graduating from Chickasha High School in 1961 where he participated in football and tennis, as well as various school clubs. Denzil was elected president of his senior class and received the Joe David Foley award for outstanding sportsmanship. Denzil attended Oklahoma State University where he was a member of the Acacia Fraternity and earned a B.S. degree in marketing. Upon graduation from OSU, he accepted a position in the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. management training program and worked there until he left for the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. After being commissioned as a Navy Ensign, he attended several additional specialty training schools prior to being stationed at NSAD in Chu Lai, Republic of South Vietnam. After returning from Vietnam, he completed his active duty at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL. His active and reserve naval service spanned from 1966 to 1976, and he was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant.
After leaving active duty, Denzil returned to OSU where he earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration. Upon receiving his MBA, he began his forty-year career in the banking industry with the First National Bank and Trust Company of Tulsa. Over his career, Denzil held senior and executive positions with banks in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Ponca City, Durant and Sapulpa including his position as President of Security Bank in Tulsa. After retirement from full-time employment with First United Bank of Durant in 2010, he continued as an active member of the Bank's senior loan committee.
During his career in banking, he was a member of various professional, charitable and service organizations, including the Oklahoma Bankers' Association, The Parent Child Center of Tulsa, Domestic Violence Intervention Services, the Nicholas Club and Kay County Council for Retarded Children. He was especially proud of his service through Rotary and was a past president of the Rotary Club of Will Rogers where he also served on the board of directors.
Denzil and his wife, Janice were married in 1995. For the past several years, they have been active members of the First Baptist Church of Tulsa.
Denzil was passionate about his family, community service and all things regarding Oklahoma State University. He was regarded as a "straight shooter" by all who knew him.
Denzil was preceded in death by his father, Edward Samuel Oswalt, and his mother, Geraldine Frances Oswalt. He is survived by his wife, Janice Oswalt, of the home and his two children and step children: his son, Eli Edward Oswalt and wife, Eve, of Edmond; and his daughter Ali DeLacy Oswalt of Tulsa, step-son Brent Cariker and wife, Becky, of Tulsa, step-daughter Brooke Cariker Inabnett and husband, John of Dallas and their families. He is also survived by: his brother, Hal Wesley Oswalt and wife, Susan, of Austin TX; and his sister, Deborah Jan Oswalt of New Haven, CT.
The Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at the Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, Denzil requested that memorial contributions be made in his name to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, ALS division, 5840 S. Memorial #307, Tulsa, OK 75145