Charles "Charlie" Monty Conrad stepped peacefully into his Heavenly home on December 3, 2025. He was born December 8, 1936, in Coffeyville, Kansas, to William Howard Conrad and Carrie May VanZant. After graduating from Coffeyville High School, he spent a year at Bethany Nazarene University before joining the United States Army. It was the Army that carried him to El Paso, Texas, where he met the love of his life, Eddie Louise DeMerritt. From the day they met, he was smitten. They were married in 1959 and were to share the next 66 years.

Charlie built a remarkable career in the early days of the computer industry. He traveled the world as a computer technician, repairing machines when others could not. His mind was sharp, his hands skilled, and he approached each new problem, no matter how difficult, with confidence and determination. Later, he helped design, sell, and operate some of the earliest computerized voting machines-work he took great pride in.

But what his family will remember the most is that he was a builder. Almost fifty years ago, he purchased ten untouched acres in Mayes County and slowly cleared the land by hand. With help from his son Scott, he built a beautiful two-story home, a garage apartment, and barns-nearly all with his own labor. His craftsmanship is visible in every beam and board.

In retirement, Charlie found joy in simpler rhythms. He developed a special affection for his donkeys and cared for them faithfully for many years. His little dog, Sadie, was never far from his side, often found sleeping beside him in his recliner. He loved to read-especially Louis L'Amour westerns, Tom Clancy novels, and books about the Second Coming of Christ.

Most important to Charlie was his faith in Jesus. Throughout the years of raising his family, he and Eddie were faithful in weekly worship, and Charlie served wherever he was needed-running sound, teaching Sunday School, serving as a deacon, and lending his hands to any task that helped build the life of the church.

Charlie and Eddie were blessed with three children: Shelley Harden and her husband Steve of Tulsa; Scott Conrad and his wife Tina of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and Sean Conrad and his wife Kimberly of Bartlesville. Their family grew to include 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, each a source of great pride and joy.

A celebration of Charlie's life will be held on Friday, December 12, at 1:00 p.m. at Moore's Southlawn Funeral Home, 9350 E. 51st St., Tulsa, OK 74145.