Albert Lee DeGarmo was born on January 6, 1942, in Elk City, Oklahoma, to Melvin Andrew and Ada Belle (Loyd) DeGarmo.
He passed away on October 14, 2026 at the age of 84 at his home in Elk City, Oklahoma, surrounded by his family.He attended Canute School and graduated in 1960. This is where he met the love of his life, Dale Jean Beck. After graduation, they were married on July 1 1961, in Lubbock, Texas, and two daughters were born to this union: Jacalyn Leigh in 1961 followed by Jeanne Layne in 1964.Soon after graduation, Albert joined the United States Air Force. He began a long 20 year enlistment. While serving, Albert took his family on many adventures around the world, including multiple tours in Misawa, Japan and in Crete, Greece. Also, spending many homeland tours of duty on Reese AFB, Lubbock, Texas; MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida, Hill AFB, Ogden, Utah; and Fort George Meade, Maryland, where he worked at the National Security Agency in Washington, D.C. He was very proud of his military career and was a very patriotic veteran. Often seen sporting his American Veteran baseball cap. The military afforded his family the opportunity to travel and live in many places, allowing them to experience and see many things that most will never see. After serving 20 years in the Air Force, he retired in 1980 and moved the family back to Elk City, their hometown. After returning home, he began his second career as a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service, for 21 years, until he retired in 2002.He was known for his witty personality which shone through, especially in the numerous poems he wrote throughout the years. Some repeatable, some not. In his younger years, he enjoyed participating in many sports. He loved watching sports. "All of them". Basketball, baseball, football, golf, pillow fighting—you all get it! If sports were on, he was watching. Albert loved his family very deeply, and spending time with them was so important to him. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Dela Jean, and his parents Melvin and Ada DeGarmo, brothers Allen DeGarmo and Gary DeGarmo, sister in law Gloria DeGarmo and brother in law Jim LaFarlette and son in law Jerry Oldham. He is survived by his two daughters, Jacalyn Oldham Stone and her husband Terry, and Jeanne Snowder and husband Tony, both of Elk City, Ok. One sister, Linda Sue Cook and sister-in-law Connie DeGarmo. Also in-laws: Patsy LaFarlette, Raelene and Arnold Knight, Misti and Matt Creach,Kristi and Kevin Visor, and Gail and KarySchneberger. Seven grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to express a very special thank you to Comforting Hands Hospice for all of their loving kindness and support, shown to our Daddy and our family throughout this stressful time.