John Elbert Coldwell

John E. Coldwell went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 26th, 2026, at the age of 88 from Stage 4 Bone Cancer from Prostate Cancer.

He was born on April 3, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois to Clarence Coldwell Sr, and Eva Louise Coldwell.

During childhood he lived in Chicago, Florida and Oklahoma. He graduated from Woodward High School, Woodward Oklahoma in 1957. John was involved in Boy Scouts of America and earned Eagle Scout badge during high school.

After high school he married Martha Salisbury of Sharon Oklahoma and enlisted in the Air Force. He was stationed in Yuma, Arizona and Dickinson, North Dakota. From this marriage they had three children, Cindy, Glen and Paul.

During his tenure in the Air Force John started a new Boy Scout troop in North Dakota and went to start up four additional scout troops as well as being a charter member of Order of the Arrow in Colorado Springs.

After his service time from the Air force, John worked in Construction and a remodeling contractor. His clients always admired his ingenuity and craftsmanship and attention to detail in his work.

John was an avid fisherman, he loved to fish anytime, anywhere. He loved filling his tacklebox with every lure he could find that would entice that elusive crappie. He also enjoyed being outdoors, camping and spending time with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Eva Louise Ralston of Woodward OK, his father Clarence Coldwell Sr. of Florida: his stepfather, Ted Barnett of Woodward OK, his stepfather, Walter Ralston of Woodward OK, his brother Clarence Coldwell of Woodward OK, his sister Mary Haxton of Oklahoma City, OK and stepbrother, Donnie Barnett of North Carolina.

He is survived by Linda Coldwell of Ada, Oklahoma; daughter Cindy Kordis of Yukon, Oklahoma; son Glen Coldwell of Mustang, Oklahoma; son Paul Coldwell of Mustang, Oklahoma; and Jeanette Hayes of Ada, Oklahoma.

He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Edna Coldwell of Woodward; stepbrother Richard Barnett and his wife, Dale, of South Carolina; stepsister Glenda Simpson and her husband, Ray, of Texas; and sister-in-law Janice Barnett of North Carolina.

His grandchildren include Scott Coldwell of Houston, Texas; Thomas Coldwell of Maryland; Cheryl Coldwell of Maryland; Crystal Daniel of Minco, Oklahoma; and Daniel Balke of Yukon, Oklahoma.

He also leaves behind seven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

The last several years of his life were spent in Yukon with his children, where he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He especially cherished his yearly fishing trips with his sons, where he could out-fish them—and was always proud to tell the stories of his fishing victories.

There will be a small, private ceremony to celebrate our dad and the wonderful life he lived.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society at https://American Cancer Society or Scouting America at https://scouting.org.