Harold Dwayne Akin was an American football player.
An offensive tackle, he played college football at Oklahoma State University, and played professionally in the American Football League for the San Diego Chargers in 1967 and 1968.
Harold Akin Obituary (1945-2022)
Harold Dwayne Akin, 77, went to be with the Lord on March 18, 2022.
Born in McAlester, Oklahoma on January 11, 1945, Harold was the last surviving child of six born to Viola “Bobbie” and Dan Akin, and “HA” was looking forward to their special and glorious reunion.
Growing up in Bethany, Harold had high expectations and goals for himself at a young age. He won the State Spelling Bee in the 3rd Grade.
He still holds the Asbury Avenue chicken wrangling record of 17 hens in 2 hands and became an expert in unicycling. He could light and throw fireworks all while unicycling. As Harold grew into a young man, he also became a standout in the crowd, not only standing 6’6″ in the 8th grade but possessing athletic talent to boot.
At Bethany and Putnam City High Schools, Harold was a football, basketball, and track star. He was selected All State in basketball, was part of the 4 x 100 State Champion team in track, and earned a scholarship in football to Oklahoma State University.
Harold, #71, was a starter for the Pokes while earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business. He was the first in his family to earn a college degree.
During his time in Stillwater, Harold married his high school sweetheart, Sally Ann Duffy, and together they began their journey as a family with the birth of their first son, Kevin.
Harold was drafted by the San Diego Chargers after college and played in the NFL until he sustained a career ending injury.
Before leaving San Diego, son #2, Jeff, was born before the family moved back to their roots in Oklahoma.
In 1971, the same year Scott, son #3, was born, Harold, along with mentor Ollie Moyer, started A&M Wholesale, and soon a retail outlet named Carpet World.
In July of 1973, good friend and OSU teammate, Curt Holdridge, joined Harold, and Carpet World began to grow and flourish. With this new business venture, Harold not only provided his sons with college educations, he and Sally were able to travel the world and enjoy special times at Lake Texoma and “The Little Blue House” in Crested Butte.
These special places have continued to offer many friends and families a chance to make their own precious memories. Carpet World also enabled many to gain work experience, second chances in life, livelihoods, and careers from family to friends to strangers, who typically then became friends, as well.
In 1978, son #4, Zac, completed the family and Harold continued to grow and expand his business while staying active with his boys, the church, and the community. Throughout his lifetime, Harold remained a devoted and active Christian at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene.
He was a proud and active member of the Bethany Kiwanis Club and spent much of his free time as a little league/AAU coach to his four sons. His love of classic cars stayed with him until his departure. Additionally, he was the best at collecting coupons and making good deals, telling good stories, giving great advice, and being a “dad”-jokester! He was patient and honorable, a gentleman and a great role model for his sons and their families.
In 1991, Harold began an additional role as “Big Daddy” when the first of nine grandchildren, Jake, was born.
After Sally’s death in 2012, Harold was eventually blessed again with a loving and devoted wife, Judy Schatz, to whom he married in 2014. Their love story and devotion to each other was a blessing to them both and to their families.
We will miss his sparkling blue eyes, “teaching moments”, laughter, big hugs, and leadership, but know we will see him again in the glory of heaven.
Harold is survived by his wife, Judy Akin; his four sons: Kevin (Leslie), Jeff (Tiffany), Scott (Reagan), and Zac (Mckenzie); and nine grandchildren: Jake (Hannah), Abbey, Katie, Jet, Ainsley, Brady, Owen, Hudson, and Carter; and many nieces and nephews and people who loved him.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally, parents, Dan and Bobbie, and his siblings, Kenneth, Betty, Jerry, Helen, and Jack.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 9am-8pm, with family present from 5-7pm at Mercer-Adams.
Funeral services was held on Wednesday, March 23, 1:00pm at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene with interment in Bethany Cemetery.