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Delma Jacob “Del” Cline was born on February 11, 1935 on the family homestead near Putnam, OK to Robert “Bob” and Gladys (Hughes) Cline. Del’s family moved a lot and so he grew up in Putnam, Clinton, and Aledo, OK as well as Idaho and California. He attended many schools, but eventually settled at the Independence School North of Custer, OK where he met the love of his life Clara “Eileen” (Butcher) and would push her on the swings and giant strides. They later attended Putnam High School where they dated, and Del graduated with the Class of 1953.
After graduation, Del played baseball in the minor leagues for a Yankees organization team in Kansas. He then moved to work at a saw mill in northern California.
Del joined the United States Air Force in 1954, being stationed at Lackland AFB in San Antonio and Keesler AFB in Biloxi during his training. While on leave he married Eileen Butcher on March 12, 1956. The couple moved around as he was assigned to different posts, residing at times in Massachusetts, Bermuda, and North Carolina.
During this time the couples four children were born Ann Christine, Mark Anthony, Brian Lee, and Becky Joy Cline.
He then served during Vietnam on search and rescue as part of a Black Op Squad that would retrieve downed pilots behind enemy lines. Del even survived being shot down himself and was hospitalized before returning stateside. He then worked in TAC missile defense before being honorably discharged (retired) in 1975 after 20 years of service with two distinguished flying crosses.
The couple resided in Taloga for 18 years and Putnam for 3 years.
When the LORD called Del into the ministry, he pastored at McCook Baptist Church in North Sioux, SD for 17 years where he was also the Chaplain for the American Legion. Upon returning to Putnam, he pastored at the Rhea Baptist Church from 2007-2014.
With his health failing, he retired to the Clinton Veteran’s Center where he resided until his death. He went to see JESUS on Saturday, November 7, 2020 with a smile on his face.
Del is preceded in death by his parents Bob and Gladys Cline, and younger brother Doyle Cline.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Eileen Cline of Canton; four children, Mark Cline and wife Sheryl of Stillwater, OK, Brian Cline and wife Nette of Sioux City, IA, Chris Pfeifer and husband Bob of Baton Rouge, LA, and Becky Williams and husband Wade of Canton, OK; brother Chuck Cline of Leavenworth, KS; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends include his lifelong friend Orin Patton of Leedey, OK.
Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at the Fairview Cemetery near Putnam, OK.
Memorial Donations in Del's honor may be made to the Clinton Veteran's Center in care of Redinger Funeral Home (Box 236, Seiling OK 73663).
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