David Paslay

David Glen Paslay was born July 6, 1955 in Holdenville, OK to Glen and Mary Paslay. He passed peacefully in his sleep on October 4, 2025 in Denison, TX.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Paslay. He is survived by his wife, Susan Paslay, his father Glen Paslay, his sons Jordan and Jon, seven precious grandchildren, and countless other loved ones.

David was larger than life. He was born and raised in Holdenville and continued to love the town and the people where he spent most of his life. He married the love of his life, Susan, on April 11, 1980 and the two of them built a beautiful partnership of 45 years filled with selfless love and service to each other and the world around them. Some of their best memories of life were spent together traveling all over the US adventuring with their two boys, Jordan and Jon.

For the last few years he lived in Denison, TX where he was closer to his many doctors. As an Okie he was at first opposed to Texas living but the hospitality of great neighbors, Hagerman Baptist Church, and daily life with his wife and son Jordan’s family made it all worth it.

He and his father Glen opened David’s Mini Market in 1973 in Holdenville. For the next almost 50 years his family worked at David’s where his love for people flourished through his hospitality, humor and generosity. David loved people, he loved giving you a hard time. He had the most ridiculous nicknames for people. He never met a stranger.

David was incredibly generous, continuing to help people regularly even when his own health was failing. He was also notoriously stubborn. He once forced his doctor to discharge him early from the ICU step down unit so he could join his grandkids on a trip to Disney World.

If he wasn’t working at his businesses or spending time with his family, David would be found volunteering for the Holdenville Recreation Authority when his children were little. He was in charge of the Wolverine Booster Club and a member of the chain gang for the football team. He served on the Holdenville City Council, on the Hughes County EMS Board and as a Holdenville Volunteer Firefighter. Until his health no longer allowed him, he volunteered on the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team in which he traveled all over the United States helping feed survivors of floods and earthquakes.

David made his boys work from a young age so that they would value an education. He was incredibly proud of his son Jon who is an Oklahoma City firefighter and his son Jordan who is a family medicine physician. Though he never went to college, his physician son called him almost every day for advice. His wealth of knowledge in all the things, calm demeanor and willingness to help always made him a primary contact for his daughter in law, Timmie as well. He was the best dad, husband, and “Pops.”

David’s fervor for life was unparalleled. He did not miss a thing and was awe inspiring with his energy and resilience. His last week of life captured how he lived life-installing new furniture for his beloved wife, traveling to visit his dad, attending multiple ball games to cheer on his grandkids, taking and picking up grandkids from school and chauffeuring them to soccer practices, and celebrating his beloved wife’s birthday. He always went out of his way to be present, show support, generosity, kindness and love in his fun and funny ways. David was the most friendly, engaging person you could ever meet. His warmth and genuine interest made all who knew him feel loved and encouraged. Even with countless things going, he maintained a focus and attention to detail that was impactful and inspiring.

Susan and family are deeply appreciative of the extra time that he was blessed to have due to the incredible care of many doctors and nurses including Tom Osborn, Ted Truly, Jamison Alexander and many others.

David’s Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, October 21 at 11 AM at First Baptist Church Holdenville with lifelong friend James Robinson officiating.

He will also be celebrated Sunday, October 26 at 2 PM at Hagerman Baptist Church in Pottsboro, TX.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully asks that donations be made in his honor to Holdenville Education Foundation.

Please send any “Big Dave” memories, pictures or stories to dgpaslay@ gmail.com.