Herman Dwayne Pankratz

June 19, 1938 Sept. 28, 2022

Herman Dwayne Pankratz was born June 19, 1938, in Cordell, Oklahoma, and passed away September 28, 2022, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was 84 years old.

Dwayne grew up on a farm East of Cordell in the home of his dad, a farmer/rancher, and his mom, a schoolteacher, as parents.

As an older boy his family moved to Cordell on Grant Street where he finished high school graduating in 1955.

Dwayne married the light of his life, Gladys Reinschmiedt, from Bessie, Oklahoma. They were married 65 years until the time of his death.

Dwayne and Gladys put down their roots in Cordell living there until 2019 before they relocated to Oklahoma City to be closer to their boys.

As a young couple they had two sons, Kirk and Steve.

They were very active as members of the First Presbyterian Church for many years.

Dwayne started a heavy equipment construction company in the 1960’s called Pankratz Earthmoving. He later would be a coowner of an oilfield service company in the late 1970’s & 80’s called Greco Services.

In 1989, he answered the call of God on his life to become the Pastor of Grace Family Fellowship in Cordell where he served until retirement.

He also became a realtor with his wife and their company, County Seat Real Estate.

In his 20’s & 30’s, Dwayne served as a Cordell City Councilmen for 8 years starting in the 1960’s.

He was a President for the Oklahoma Association of Square Dancing where he served as a “square dance caller”.

Dwayne would later serve for several years as a leader and President of the Western Oklahoma Chapter of FGBMFI, a Christian- based organization focused on business men and their families.

He was active in the Cordell Ministerial Alliance including serving a term as President.

Dwayne was always active, present and supporting his sons in their school sports programs, particularly football that he loved, where their team reached the Oklahoma State Semi-finals in 1975.

This proud father trained his boys in farming and ranching to run his operation.

He was an active and supportive grandfather.

Dwayne and Gladys were very active with their Pankratz and Reinschmiedt family members. They took dozens of trips to Branson, Missouri, where they enjoyed the scenery and relaxing culture.

He loved to serve and help people around his community. He was a beloved friend, mentor and spiritual father for many people.

Dwayne is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Bernice Pankratz of Cordell, and his brother, Darwin Pankratz of Cordell.

Dwayne is survived by his wife, Gladys of Oklahoma City; his sons’ families, Kirk and Nancy Pankratz of Oklahoma City, and Steve and Kim Pankratz of Yukon, Oklahoma; his grandchildren, Tyler Pankratz of Los Angeles, California; Chase Pankratz of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Natalie and Chandler Boyce of Ft. Worth, Texas; Grant Pankratz of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Megan and Jordan Wunder of Brooklyn, New York; Gretchin Scott of Norman, Oklahoma; Heather and Nate Kinney of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Samuel and Vona Karns of Moore, Oklahoma; his great-grandchildren, Naomi and Boston Pankratz; Vivienne Boyce; Jilian and Ariana Fox; Hannah, Lydia, Esther and Evangeline Kinney; and Walker Karns; sister-in-law, Karen Pankratz Cordell, Oklahoma; sister and brother-in-law, Lilian and John Neumann Van Nuys, California, and sister-in-law, Juanita Reinschmiedt of Clinton, Oklahoma, along with many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services for Dwayne will be Saturday, October 8, at 11 a.m., at the Lawnview Cemetery in Cordell, Oklahoma.

Cards can be sent to Gladys Pankratz at Tuscany Village, 2333 Tuscany Blvd., Room 409, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73120.

Online condolences may be signed at www. yandafuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda and Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, Oklahoma.