David Karlin

"Coach" Dave Karlin passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at Hansford Manor in Spearman, Texas. He was 82 years old.
David Wayne Karlin was born on May 12, 1941 in Durango, Colorado to Wayne Albert and Margaret (Thomson) Karlin.
He attended high school in Aztec, NM. After graduating from high school in 1959, he attended college at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado on a full football scholarship. He graduated in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in physical education and later received his master's degree in mathematics.
During his freshman year in college, he met Dixie Ogden. They were married on December 18, 1960 in Raton, NM. Dixie gave birth to their son, Randy on November 23, 1962 while Dave was playing in a bowl game in the Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs. They later had another son, Rodney Lee and a daughter, Robin Lynn.
He coached in Bloomfield, Kim, Springfield, and Walsh, Colorado. In 1977, he moved the family to Gruver, TX where he spent the remainder of his days before going to the Hansford Manor in 2021.
He was an enthusiastic member of the community with a servant's heart. Some of his contributions included several St. Jude Bike-a-thons, counseling young men and women and coaching golf. He loved, supported, and attended so many athletic events in Gruver. He had a variety of interests from making picture frames to leading songs at his local church. After he retired from coaching, he set up a golf driving range at the high school where he would spend hours coaching young athletes. One church member said, "To know him was to love him. He made everyone seem so special when really he was the special one." His smile and positivity were contagious to everyone who crossed his path. A man with such humility and character will be dearly missed by those who were lucky to know and love him.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Randy.
Surviving family members are his wife, Dixie; son, Rod; and daughter, Robin and husband, Ed; brother James "Jim" Karlin; sister, Margaret "Rose" Hardy and husband John; seven grandchildren: Benjamin, Reagan, Jack, Greyson, Cassie, Karlin, and Addie; seven great-grandchildren: Kane, Bex, Haddie, Saylor, Rowan, and Brooklyn. He is also survived by many other relatives and a host of friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to: New Mexico Children's Home, 1356 NM Suite 236, Portales, NM, 88130 or St. Judes' Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38015.
The family is planning a celebration of life at a later date. Services are entrusted to Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon.
Friends and family may sign the guest book or leave an online condolence.