Johnny Walter DeHart, age 83 passed away at his home on November 26, 2018.

Johnny was born at home in Chickasha, Oklahoma to J.W. and Aline DeHart on September 20, 1935. J.W. moved his family to Ardmore in 1950 and started DeHart Roofing and Sheet Metal Company. Johnny graduated from Ardmore High School in 1954 and attended two years at Oklahoma A&M before marrying Carol Faye Lively on July 26, 1956. They celebrated 46 years of marriage before she passed away on August 1, 2002.

Johnny loved his family very much. He cherished his children and grandchildren, and his first great grandchild to arrive in February. He answered to many names through his life time-- Johnny, Daddy, Mr. DeHart, Uncle Johnny, John, but his most "heart-tugging" names were Poppa and Poppa John. In 1961 Johnny built their first family home. He was always a good builder and could fix just about anything! He loved to garden—planting flowers in the front of his business. Early in his life he enjoyed many days on Lake Murray with his family camping and boating. On Friday nights you could hear him cheering for The Ardmore Tiger's football team with life-long friends as well as the Sooners on Saturday's. Traveling with family and friends to Mexico and other destinations--many fun memories were made. Johnny was fascinated with flying and was a small plane enthusiast. Along with his work with the roofing company he was also in the cattle business, but in 1979 he connected with John Hoard- a friend and geologist as they partnered together to start his life-time-love of "wild-catting" in the oil business. This was his "happy place" for the rest of his life. He never gave up, he never retired and his children and family will continue to carry on his legacy.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, and his first wife.

John is survived by his wife of their home, Patsy Gay DeHart. Children: Theresa DeHart, Laura DeHart, Judith Schofield and husband Jeff, and Susan DeHart Aitson all of Ardmore. Carter Harkins and wife Kelly, Nashville, Tennessee, Austin Harkins and wife Bridgette, San Antonio,Texas, Barrett Harkins and wife Victoria, Uppsala, Sweden. Sisters, Barbara Swindell and her husband Charles of Ardmore and Judy Thomas and her husband Bill of Denton, Tx. Seven grandchildren: Savannah Petty and husband Joe, Charity Volino and Jordan Volino, Reagan Harkins, Hudson Harkins, Layken Harkins, Quinn Harkins, and Riley Harkins. One great grandchild: Eliza Carol Petty and numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.

Funeral services for Johnny will be at First Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 30, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Baptist Homes for Girls and Cross Timbers Hospice.