Daymond Ennis Obituary

Daymond Dale (Curly) Ennis
Memorial services for Daymond Dale (Curly) Ennis, 85, of Coalgate are 1:00 PM, Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the First Baptist Church of Coalgate; Brother Jim Lewis will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the First Baptist Church.
Daymond Dale Ennis was born on September 24, 1939, at the Ennis homestead near the Lonestar community in Coal County-the first of six children to Harrison H. & Lucille (Deskin) Ennis. He passed away peacefully on July 19, 2025, in Coalgate. Dale fell ill with Polio at the age of four, Dr. Byrd's prescription was equal parts medicine and heart: boiling hot towels, chocolate bars & community care. The women of the community walked daily to the home to help care for Dale and his newborn sister.
Dale began his education at Mowdy School, where his entire class was just him and his Aunt Jeraldine. He later graduated from Coalgate High School in 1957 and set his sights on East Central University. He hitchhiked to campus each day, determined to earn his degree. By 1957, he had wrangled 141 college hours and a 2.1 GPA-just enough to earn a bachelor's degree in education, and more than enough to make his family proud.
He married Paula Forneris, the love of his life, on October 21, 1962. Their journey together brought laughter, love, and the joy of raising three children: Kevin, Ronnie & Kimberly.
In his younger days, Dale was a regular at the weekly poker game with his friends-where the stakes were anything but ordinary. Several times he lost Paula's Bluebell (Wrangler) paycheck but somehow won everything form cash and bowling balls to a Rolex watch and even a polyester suit that probably should've stayed in the 70's. He kept up the tradition for years until casinos stole his heart. Dale became fond of slot machines, hitting a few jackpots along the way-though that Mega Million jackpot? Let's just say it stayed as elusive as his poker bluff.
Dale began his career as a foreman on the OKA TOCA pipeline, that ran from Atoka Lake to OKC. In 1969 he found his true calling in sales with National Motor Club. Over his 30-year career, he earned numerous honors-including Salesman of the year, Top Salesman, Most Cash Customers, and highest Renewals along with many more. After retiring from NMC, in 1999, Dale launched his own venture, ACA Auto Club of America, based in OKC. Around 1985, Dale & Paula bought their first rent house-just one small investment that quickly grew into something much bigger. Over the four decades, they built and managed a thriving rental property business with over 100 properties, all run with care, commitment, and a shared vision.
Once he quit wearing his suit and tie, he swapped them for a pair of worn-out overalls, a faded raggedy shirt that looked like it had lost a fight with a barbecue pit. The front of it was permanently stained from the steady trickle of dip juice-courtesy of the biggest wad of chewing tobacco he could legally (or maybe not-so-legally) cram in his jowl. On Saturday mornings during auction season, he always had a front-row seat, with bidding number 11 tucked into the front pocket of his overalls like it was a family heirloom. Half the time he was asleep before the first table sold, chin tucked, mouth open, dip in place like a security blanket. Nobody had the heart to wake him. The boxes, nobody bid on? They always sold. Number 11, one dollar. The auctioneer once sold him a llama, he didn't remember buying-he just shrugged and named it "Regret."
Dale loved anything with age and a story. He didn't collect junk – he collected " merchandise", as he liked to put it. Coins, old paper bills, banks notes, porcelain signs, oddball antiques of every kind from barns and basements across the county. If it was dusty and had a price tag, he was interested. His favorite treasures were his '57, '58, and '59 Ford hardtop retractables. He had subscriptions to every magazine you could think of: coins, cars, antiques, local newspapers-his mailbox was a full-time job, but that was the price of staying educated.
Of all the things Dale collected -coins, cars, antiques – the only thing he truly treasured was time with his grandkids. He never missed a ballgame, cheer, or dance performance. He never missed a chance to make them laugh with a joke so bad it circled back to being funny. His stories were stitched together from memory and mischief, and somehow, they always ended with a lesson – or at least a loud laugh.
Dale was a devoted son, brother, husband, uncle, father, grandpa, and friend. He was known for a warm giving heart, strong work ethics, sense of humor, and always putting his family first. Though he may be gone from our sight, he will forever remain in our hearts.
Survived By
Son: Ronnie Ennis & wife Rachel of Coalgate, OK
Grandchildren: Tyler Ennis & wife Heather of Coalgate, OK
Sondi Ennis & fiancé Bradley Stowe of Coalgate, OK
Ronica Ennis of Coalgate, OK
5 Great Grandchildren: Jensy Ennis, Tyley Ennis, Charli Ennis, Radley Stowe, Wrenley Stowe
2 Sisters: Virginia Cometti & husband Frank of Coalgate, OK
Sherry LeFevere & husband Phillip of Coalgate, OK
Countless friends whose lives he touched deeply.
Preceded In Death By
Parents: Harrison H & Lucille Ennis
Wife: Paula (Forneris) Ennis
Son: Kevin Ennis
Daughter: Kimberly Ennis
Grandson: Eric Golden-Ennis
Brothers: Ronnie H Ennis, Billy Ennis & James Ennis
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