David Paul Thilsted

David Paul Thilsted was born to James and Lois Jean Thilsted in Alva, Oklahoma. He attended grammar school and high school in Blackwell, Oklahoma. David started working for Don and Norma Buffalo on their farm as soon as he could drive a tractor. He started work for Mertz in 1977, traveling the world as far as China, training people and working on seismograph machines. 

David married Debora Kay in 1980. They had two children, Whitney Nichole Smith, and Bryce Colby Thilsted. David was a proud papa to Gunner Pankratz, Brooks, Mack, Rad, and Bowie Thilsted, Amanda, Ally, Seth, Paislee Mae, Kinzlee, Natalee, Grayson, and Tynzlee Smith. He loved watching his grandkids grow up and play sports, he was especially proud of his granddaughter Amanda playing in the Pride of Oklahoma, in Norman. 

Growing up on the water, David could barefoot waterski and loved fishing, something he would share later in life with his son and grandchildren. David loved watching sports, OU football first, then OSU. He was a huge OKC Thunder fan and attended many games, the Kansas City Chiefs were his favorite NFL team. David was very mechanical and could fix anything. He loved cooking, big meals on the holidays, and more recently getting recipes from Tic-Toc and Facebook to try them out at home. David enjoyed watching the eagles at Lake Ponca and Kaw, and loved playing Farkle with his friends Emily and Butch. He enjoyed talking about the bible with his older sister Mary, and was proud to have been baptized at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Ponca City Oklahoma 

A public visitation will be held at Trout Funeral Home on Thursday, October 29th from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The family will welcome guest from 5:00 – 7:00PM. 

Davids Funeral will be held at the First Free Will Baptist Church, Friday, October 30th at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the First Free Will Baptist Church, Ponca City Oklahoma.