Perry C. Halstied

Perry C. Halstied was born February 16, 1939, in Ran, Oklahoma to William 'Bill' & Bessie Mae (Wilson) Halstied. Perry was the fourth child born to this union of ten children. He peacefully departed this life on July 8, 2026 in Marietta, OK, leaving behind a legacy defined by love, laughter, and dedicated service.

Family and friends will gather to honor Perry's life at the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, July 18, 2026, wearing shades of blue.

Perry was a proud graduate of Marietta Douglass High School where he was an outstanding basketball player. His younger school years where attended in Ran, OK until the family moved to Marietta when Perry was 12 years old. Perry was a very adventurous young boy who endured many whooping from his mother. 

Perry and Ella Mae Breath were married and to this union 4 children were born, 1 son, Kevin Halstied, and 3 daughters Trudy, Diana & Violet Halstied, along with this union came 2 bonus daughters, JoElla Breath and Karen Willis. Later in life he married Rebecca Howard and to this union 1 child was born, Keisha Halstied, and a bonus son, Paul Howard.

Perry's professional journey began at the Iron Foundry of Gainesville, TX for 14 years, before subsequently advancing to Uniroyal/Goodrich Tire Plant in Ardmore, OK,  where he dedicated 27 years of service before retiring.  After retiring he opened his small engine repair shop full-time fixing mowers, tillers along with washing machines, and dryers.  He also was fixing/building bicycles. If you didn't have a bike and you were in the neighborhood all you had to do was go by Perry's and ask him for one. He still has over 50 bikes at his home that he planned on fixing but his health began to fail him. 

Perry was a hard worker who also liked to play even harder. He rode motorcycles wheelies for blocks, horses and raced cars. There was nothing that he could not fix. He was dependable and loved his family and they loved him. He had many friends and he could talk for hours.

Perry was proud to have helped teardown the old Douglass School Gym and where New Zion Missionary Baptist Church stands today. Perry was a member and trustee for many years at New Zion. Anything that needed to be fixed he fixed it.  The cabinet in the dining room were also built by him. Anytime the church bus moved Perry was driving it all over Oklahoma and Texas.  

His culinary skills were renowned among family, particularly his mouthwatering catfish with all the trimmings, and his sweet potato pies.

Perry was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca Howard Halstied, the mother of his children, Ella Mae Breath-Martin, his parents, siblings, Jimmy McCarroll, Herculee McCarroll, Lorene 'Katie' Foreman, Lovetta 'Midge' Douglass, infant brother LaBraska Halstied, Etta Halstied and Willie L. Halstied-Kirk; Son: Donald Overstreet, grandson, Darryl McGee Jr., & 2 great-grandchildren Parys McGee and Rhylen McGee.

Perry's family remembers him as a cherished father and grandfather. He is survived by his five children, one son, Kevin Halstied of Ardmore, OK, four daughters, Trudy Halstied, Diana Halstied and Violet Halstied all of Ardmore, OK and Keisha Halstied of Marietta, OK., 2 bonus daughters, JoElla Breath and Karen Willis both of Ardmore,OK and a bonus son, Paul Howard and his wife Rebecca of Las Vegas, NV. One sister, Dorothy Lornes and husband L.J. of Marietta and One brother, Hayze Halstied of Marietta. One brother-in-love, Lewis Douglass of Marietta, OK and one sister-in-love, Hattie 'Sue' McCarroll of Langston, OK. Twelve grandchildren, Fourteen great-grandchildren, twelve bonus grandchildren, sixteen bonus great-grandchildren and three bonus great-great grandchildren and his New Zion Church Family and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.