| Winfield Henry Oppegard |
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Published in The Oklahoman on April 13, 2011
The Rev. Winfield Henry Oppegard, 85, of Shawnee,
died April 9, 2011 in Oklahoma City. Wynn, as he was
known, was born July 21, 1925, in Winona, Minn., to Dr.
Henry A. Oppegard and Blanche Campbell Oppegard. After
their father died, his mother, Wynn and his brother, Charles,
moved to Washington, D.C., where he graduated from
McKinley High School. Wynn enlisted in the Navy in 1943, where he served in
China during WWII. He graduated from the University of Maryland, majoring in
economics and business, and was active in the first Gymkana Troupe, competing
in gymnastics.
He married Mary Gair Oppegard in 1955, and they were married 55 loving
years, being a devoted husband and father. Wynn attended Pittsburgh Theological
Seminary and received his Master's of Divinity in 1956. His life was his ministry,
serving our Lord through family and United Presbyterian congregations throughout
Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Texas. His pastorates ranged from small mining
congregations to large urban churches. His passion for ministry was evident
through thoughtful and insightful sermons, furthering adult Biblical education and
growing children and youth programs. Known for his compassion and pastoral
care to congregations he served, his gentle demeanor was a source of comfort and
strength during life's joys and sorrows. In Shawnee he was instrumental in
beginning the first ecumenical ministerial alliance, Senior Center and chaplaincy at
Shawnee Medical Center.
Survivors include his loving wife, Mary, their three children, Karen Mary
(Scott) Yarberry of Denver, Colo., Christine Susan (Greg) Brown of Shawnee,
and Robert Winfield Oppegard, of New York City. Grandchildren include Eric and
Hope Brown, and Ian and Keith Yarberry. His brother, Charles and wife Juanita
Oppegard of Denver, also survive him.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1st Presbyterian Church in
Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 14, at 10 a.m. with reception following at the
church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to First Presbyterian Church,
Oklahoma City, or Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Friends may visit the family at their Shawnee residence Wednesday, April 13,
from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Rev. Winfield Henry Oppegard, 85, of Shawnee,
died April 9, 2011 in Oklahoma City. Wynn, as he was
known, was born July 21, 1925, in Winona, Minn., to Dr.
Henry A. Oppegard and Blanche Campbell Oppegard. After
their father died, his mother, Wynn and his brother, Charles,
moved to Washington, D.C., where he graduated from
McKinley High School. Wynn enlisted in the Navy in 1943, where he served in
China during WWII. He graduated from the University of Maryland, majoring in
economics and business, and was active in the first Gymkana Troupe, competing
in gymnastics.
He married Mary Gair Oppegard in 1955, and they were married 55 loving
years, being a devoted husband and father. Wynn attended Pittsburgh Theological
Seminary and received his Master's of Divinity in 1956. His life was his ministry,
serving our Lord through family and United Presbyterian congregations throughout
Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Texas. His pastorates ranged from small mining
congregations to large urban churches. His passion for ministry was evident
through thoughtful and insightful sermons, furthering adult Biblical education and
growing children and youth programs. Known for his compassion and pastoral
care to congregations he served, his gentle demeanor was a source of comfort and
strength during life's joys and sorrows. In Shawnee he was instrumental in
beginning the first ecumenical ministerial alliance, Senior Center and chaplaincy at
Shawnee Medical Center.
Survivors include his loving wife, Mary, their three children, Karen Mary
(Scott) Yarberry of Denver, Colo., Christine Susan (Greg) Brown of Shawnee,
and Robert Winfield Oppegard, of New York City. Grandchildren include Eric and
Hope Brown, and Ian and Keith Yarberry. His brother, Charles and wife Juanita
Oppegard of Denver, also survive him.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1st Presbyterian Church in
Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 14, at 10 a.m. with reception following at the
church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to First Presbyterian Church,
Oklahoma City, or Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Friends may visit the family at their Shawnee residence Wednesday, April 13,
from 4 to 7 p.m.
