Charles Ward Padgett

Charles Ward Padgett, age 82, of Yukon, Oklahoma, went to his heavenly home on Saturday, July 12, 2025, after a brief battle with acute leukemia.

Charles grew up in Kentucky and Illinois, graduating from Zeigler High School in Zeigler, Illinois, in 1960. That same year, his family moved to McAlester, Oklahoma. He attended Oklahoma State University and completed basic military training in Louisiana before beginning a lifelong career in automobile sales. He married Patsy A. Higdon on November 25, 1966, in Seminole, Oklahoma.

Charles was an avid bowler who also loved fishing and gospel music. He was a member of St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Oklahoma City.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kari and Jay Kelly of Yukon; his special daughter, Col. Lindy White of Oklahoma City; his sister, Venetta Welsh of Jenks; and his brother-in-law, Bob Addington of Ocala, Florida. He is also survived by five granddaughters - Katelyn, Madison, Kristian, Jayden and Kamryn - and one great-granddaughter, Lennon. Additionally, he is survived by nephews Bradley Welsh, Kenny Higdon, Keith Higdon, Brent Cotton and Mike Cotton, as well as several great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ward and Dorothy Padgett; his beloved wife, Patsy, in 2009; one grandson, Gage Kelly; brother-in-law Tom Welsh; sister-in-law Qualla Addington; brother- and sister-in-law George and Jennie Higdon; his in-laws, Luther and Kate Higdon; and one niece, Karan Douthit.

Pallbearers will be: Jay Kelly, Bradley Welsh, Drew Welsh, Kenny Higdon, George-David Higdon and Tracy Blankenship.

Honorary bearers will be: H. Kay Dotson, Paul Mercer, Jim Aloway, David Mashburn and Nobel Wiebusch.

The family will be available for visitation, Tuesday, July 15, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.

Services will be Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, with Dr. Doug Melton officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.