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Charles Dwight Caughern, Sr., 86, of Hodgen, was born Sept. 7, 1939, in Hodgen, to Columbus Christopher and Viola Francis (Doyle) Caughern and passed away May 16, 2026, in Muskogee.
A funeral service to honor Charles’ life is 2 p.m. Friday at Summerfield Baptist Church with Reverend Clay Caughern officiating. Burial will follow in Summerfield Cemetery under the direction and care of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener. Viewing is from noon until 8 p.m. Thursday, with the family visiting with friends from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Charles married the love of his life, Gladys Deliphene (Ridenour) Caughern, on Feb. 5, 1959, and they were faithfully married for 50 years. Together they had three sons, Chuck, Tim, and Jim.
Charles was a graduate of Heavener High School. He attended Carl Albert Junior College and went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, as well as his superintendent certification from Texas A&M Commerce. While obtaining his education degree, he worked a variety of jobs — logging, highline work, and the railroad. His career in education began in Monroe as a coach before he moved to Muse/Whitesboro to coach and teach. He was then hired as superintendent at Albion Public Schools and went on to serve as superintendent at Stuart, Valliant, and Battiest. In 1980 he became superintendent at Cameron and remained there for 25 years until his retirement in 2005.
Charles was ordained as a minister Feb. 24, 1963, at Hodgen First Baptist Church and became pastor at Summerfield Baptist Church on June 1, 1965. He faithfully served as pastor there for 59 years, making him the longest-serving pastor of a single church in the state of Oklahoma.
After retirement, Charles enjoyed ranching, caring for his cattle and tractors, and spending summers in the hayfields. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, papa, uncle, cousin, and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gladys “Del” Caughern; his second wife, Betty Caughern; two sons, Timothy Allen Caughern and James “Jim” Caughern; two grandsons-in-law, Casey Garza and Jeremy Pebley; six sisters, Gladys McCurtain, Paralee Keeney, M.A. Sims, Freda Stewart, Evelyn Widmar, and Janette Wickware; and two brothers, Billy Dwain Caughern and Zelbert Ray Caughern.
Survivors include one son, Dr. Charles “Chuck” Caughern, Jr. and wife Sheila of McAlester; seven grandchildren, Bailey Caughern Cox and husband Dustin, Charles Dwight “Cole” Caughern III and wife Kenzie, Brittney Caughern Garza, Haley Caughern Zacarias and husband Jonathan, Madison Caughern, Jake Caughern and wife Amanda, and Jackie Caughern James and husband Isaac; 19 great-grandchildren, Creece, Carley, Charles Dwight “Creek” Caughern IV, Blair, Caden, Isabel, Ella, Case, Christian, Gianna, Jay, Alec, Adrian, Kate, Ben, Makinsie, Gage, Reese, and Joleigh; a daughter-in-law, Christi Caughern; and numerous other family members and friends.
Pallbearers are Jake Caughern, Cole Caughern, Justin Frizzell, Dwain Caughern, Dwight Caughern, and Chris Wickware. Honorary pallbearers are Isaac James, Gage James, Ben Caughern, Jonathan Zacarias, Jeff Caughern, Clinton Phipps Jr., Frank Earven, Mike Deere, Dustin Cox, Creece Cox, Charles Dwight “Creece” Caughern, John Long, and Mike Cox.
To sign Charles’ online guestbook, visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
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