Vernon Donald Fecht, 93, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, November 26, 2025, at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa.

Vernon was born on September 5, 1932, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Dave and Tena (Hinders) Fecht. He was the oldest of nine children: six sons and three daughters.

Vernon enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1950, seven months before his 18th birthday. He served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During the Korean War, he served on the USS Bremerton with his brother Clarence. He retired from the Navy in 1972 after 22 years of service.

He worked for John Deere in Iowa. In 1981, he married his late wife of 39 years, Marlys and instantly became a second dad to four daughters. They moved to Tulsa with their two younger daughters for his new job.

He spent the rest of his life in Tulsa enjoying retirement from his job later on. He loved to be in his "shop" in the garage at his work bench fixing things or building something new.

His most favorite thing of all was being a devoted father, grandpa, and great grandpa. He loved and valued time with family, whether in person with family in Tulsa or through phone calls, videos, or cards with his family spread across the miles. He loved family time the most.

During his last six years he started having fun, enjoying the little things and laughing a lot! Not being a big sports fan, he started watching more sports in his last years and enjoying them. The Army-Navy annual football game has been an event he hasn't missed these last years. He enjoyed all the tradition around the game and all the pre-game traditions. He will not be here watching, but we know he will be watching from heaven and we might hear him say GO NAVY beat Army!

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dave and Tena, his siblings Clarence, Gene, Marvin, Dorothy and Delores. Also, preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 39 years, Marlys.

He is survived by four daughters: Cynthia O'Connell and Deborah Castillo, both of Waterloo, Iowa, Lori O'Connell of Tulsa, OK, and Sandra Jones of San Diego, CA. His grandchildren: Paul and Joshua (Cynthia), Sarah and April (Deborah), Jonathon (Lori), Stella (Sandra) and six great grandchildren. Also survived by three siblings: brothers Allen Fecht of Evansdale, Iowa, George (Mary Anne) Fecht of Waterloo, Iowa and a sister, Marie Iverson of Waterloo, Iowa. Last, but not least, his grand dog Droopy.


Celebration of Life Service
will be held at 11:00 a.m., on December 16, 2025, at
Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel
3612 E. 91st St. South, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74137
918-291-3500


Burial with Military Honors to follow at
Calvary Cemetery
9101 S. Harvard Avenue
Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74137
918-299-7348


In lieu of flowers, donations to your local Boys and Girls Home would be appreciated.