David Fernow was born to Marvin Glen Fernow and Ruth L (Michel) Fernow on February 17, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He passed away on Monday, September 13, 2021, in Oklahoma City, OK at the age of 78 years.
David grew up on the family farm just outside of Marion, Iowa. Growing up he helped with the corn and feedlot operations. He was always tardy to school during harvest to the point where the principal would simply hand him a tardy slip as he came in the door. He graduated from Marion High School in 1961 where he lettered in basketball and football. He grew up showing Aberdeen-Angus and was an active 4-H and FFA member. Through FFA he met the love of his life, Carol Drake, while showing cattle at the fair. Story goes that he didn’t like the fact that she was a better showman than him even though he had had a crush on her since he was eight. He and Carol later married on March 23, 1963, in the Little Brown Church in Vail. In 1963, David and Carol moved to Maurine, South Dakota, where they owned and operated a large cow/calf ranch. In 1973, he and Carol loaded the household goods, horses, milk cow, three kids and moved to Missouri. After living in Koskonong for a short time, they settled in Alton, Missouri, where he continued his ranching operation. You could always pick Dave out in a crowd, all you had to do was look for the man in the cowboy hat. He and Carol moved to Oklahoma in 1990. Dave’s favorite past-times were playing pitch or cribbage with family and friends. He spent much of his retired years looking after his neighbors, more specifically mowing their yards. Any given Sunday, you would find him rooting for his favorite football team, Kansas City Chiefs. And in the words of John Wayne - “Good party, no whiskey, I’m going home now.”
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Marvin and Ruth Fernow; and father and mother-in-law, Ralph and Letha Drake.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Fernow; children, Ted Fernow, Wayne and Jill Fernow, Linda and Kyle Dowers, and Marvin Fernow; nine grandkids and five great-grandkids; two brothers; one sister; and a host of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David’s memory to the First United Methodist Church, PO Box 368, Maysville, OK 73057.
The service will be streamed live via Winans Funeral Home Facebook page.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, September 19, 2021, at Winans Funeral Home Chapel, Maysville, with Bro. Mike Deviney officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home, Maysville, Oklahoma. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.winansfuneralhome.com.
